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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA MEMORANDUM TO: Jason E. Brown; County Administrator THROUGH: Stan Boling, AICP; Community Development Director FROM: Phil Matson, AICP; MPO Staff Director DATE: November 2, 2017 SUBJECT: Request for Authorization to Explore the Extension of Aviation Boulevard and Other Access Improvements in the vicinity of the 37th Street Corridor It is requested that the information herein presented be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners at its regular meeting of November 14, 2017. DESCRIPTION & CONDITIONS 37th Street is a vital corridor in Indian River County, as it is the primary point of access to the Indian River Medical Center (IRMC) and to a large number of medical -related facilities and businesses. 37th Street is approaching capacity. When vested trips are considered, together with existing traffic volumes, 37th Street is at approximately 90% of its adopted level of service. As a result, funding has been allocated in the County's Capital Improvement Element (CIE) for the widening of 37' Street (US 1— Indian River Boulevard) from 3 to 5 lanes. The widening of 37th Street presents a number of challenges. Although it is only 1.2 miles long, there are over 27 separate driveways, cross streets, and access points in the corridor as well as potentially numerous utility conflicts. As the primary — and to some extent only- access road to the Medical Center and over 1.6 million s.f. of medical -related businesses, the closures and disruptions to 37th Street during construction could greatly inconvenience and could possibly endanger a vulnerable population. Finally, widening the road and improving drainage will be costly given the age of the roadway and the complexity of the nearby drainage and infrastructure systems. One alternative which has been considered by County and City public works and planning staff is to develop a new 2 -lane alternative roadway serving the Medical Center to relieve the demand on 37th Street. In so doing, the County's objective is to both improve access to the area and maintain level of service on 37th Street at the same time. C:\Users\legistar\AppData\Local\Temp\BCL Technologies\easyPDF 8\@BCL@280E57B3\@BCL@280E57B3.docx P91