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Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element In the past, the City of Vero Beach has undertaken a number of noteworthy roadway landscaping and beautification projects, including Royal Palm Pointe (which features decorative streetlights, signs, a fountain, and benches) and 21St St from Indian River Blvd to US 1/8th Ave (which includes landscaped medians, landscaped shoulders and pedestrian -friendly street improvements). Finally, 14th Street in downtown Vero Beach was improved with fountains, benches, paver blocks, and playground equipment. While there have been no major landscaping or beautification projects undertaken for other modes of transportation, Aviation Boulevard is being designed by the city of Vero Beach to include numerous aesthetic features at the airport entrance. Bicycle/Pedestrian System In Indian River County, the bicycle and pedestrian network is composed of the sidewalks and bicycle lanes adjacent to the existing collector and arterial roadway system. While 72 % of the county's road mileage has bicycle lanes or paved shoulders; only 37% of the road centerline mileage has sidewalks. Road segments with existing pedestrian facilities are defined as those roadways having a sidewalk along at least one side for the total length of the segment. Currently, there are 200 centerline miles of bike lanes or paved shoulders and 102 miles of sidewalks in Indian River County. In October of 1997, the MPO adopted its first countywide Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan. The plan, which was updated in 2004, focuses not only on facility needs, but also on educational programs. With respect to bicycle and sidewalk facilities, the plan indicates that the ideal bicycle/pedestrian system would be five foot paved shoulders and five foot sidewalks on each side of all thoroughfare plan roadways. Because of various constraints, including canals, existing curbing, and lack of right-of-way, the plan recommends different cross sections for various roadways. In 2004, 37% of the roadway network had a bicycle level of service (BLOS) of "E" or "F," while 20% of the roadway network had a pedestrian level of service (PLOS) of "E" or "F". According to the MPO plan, the cost to install bicycle and pedestrian facilities on all thoroughfare plan roads countywide would be $ 52,461,850 and $ 92,001,000, respectively. The county's bicycle and pedestrian facilities are illustrated in Figures 4.11A and 4.1113, Existing and Future Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities. Existing facilities include on -road facilities such as bike lanes, wide shoulders, and sidewalks. Currently, the County implements its Bikeway/Sidewalk Plan through various means. One way is by regulation. Through its land development regulations, the county requires developers to install sidewalks and bike paths in conjunction with development projects. Another way in which the county implements the Bikeway/Sidewalk Plan is by construction. Not only has the county installed sidewalks and bike paths as part of its road construction projects, but it has also budgeted a portion of its local option sales tax revenue to fund bike paths and sidewalks, and has applied for and received several SAFETEA-LU enhancement, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails Program grants to construct bike paths and sidewalks. Community Development Department Indian River County 26