WMG Volume 6 • Issue 8 April 17, 2019
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Study Underestimated Traffic Counts for
Wilton Drive Lane Reduction Engineer could lose license over faulty report By Sallie James A Fort Lauderdale engineer could lose her professional license for significantly under-estimating traffic counts for a much-publicized road narrowing project in Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale. The Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE) filed an administrative complaint in March against Christine W. Fanchi after Wilton Manors resident Boyd Corbin filed a complaint about Fanchi with the FBPE. Corbin, a Wilton Manors activist who ran for mayor in November 2018 and lost, said he read Fanchi’s proposal for lane elimination and didn’t think the numbers made sense. The FBPE read her engineering report and agreed. In question is the viability of a muchtouted road narrowing project that has transformed Wilton Drive into a chaotic construction zone in the heart of the city’s downtown. According to the complaint, Fanchi’s report was “materially deficient” because it grossly underestimated 2035 traffic volumes on the roadway. The report said traffic volume would increase 2.3-2.4 percent by 2035 when it should have said it would increase by 10.4 percent, the complaint states. “The impact of this error is that traffic delays at all intersections in 2035 … will be materially greater than those set out in the report,” the complaint states. An effort to reach Fanchi for comment was unsuccessful.
The underestimated traffic counts Transportation. The project will also upgrade will mean intersection failure at the roadway and pedestrian lighting, include new intersection of Wilton Drive and 13th drainage structures and upgrade the existing Street, a Level of Service “F,” according drainage system. to the complaint. The result would mean But motorists have complained the project lengthy traffic delays and the likelihood has swallowed up scarce parking spaces, of negative impacts on surrounding pedestrians say it has made walking dangerous neighborhoods, the complaint stated. and confusing, and some businesses are Franchi is accused struggling to stay afloat of failing to use “due because their entrances are care” by issuing a report obscured. that was “materially Supporters laud the deficient.” Fanchi also project’s intent to slow failed to sign and date motor vehicle traffic and the report. beautify the downtown. But “The report said it critics like Corbin fear it will would work for under cause gridlock. 20,000 vehicles a day. “I requested the report Right now there are because I wondered if it 20,000-22,000 vehicles would work,” Corbin said. a day. The report “They are really narrowing it contradicted itself,” from five lanes to two lanes. Corbin said. I thought it was too busy The project to narrow and it is. That was my hunch Northeast Fourth and that was verified by the - Boyd Corbin Avenue/Wilton Drive traffic data.” Wilton Manors activist from Sunrise Boulevard Wilton Manors Mayor to Northeast 26th Street Justin Flippen said this: to two lanes began in August and has “While we don’t know the final resolution of been criticized by both businesses and the inquiry into the engineering report, FDOT pedestrians. has confirmed that the Lane Elimination The project includes 7-foot-wide bicycle Application was reviewed by its engineers lanes and will widen sidewalks, upgrade at the time it was submitted and approved. pedestrian signals and modify pedestrian The jurisdiction of the operation of the road curb ramps to meet ADA requirements, remains within FDOT’s scope of responsibility. according to the Florida Department of FDOT has reported to us that it will not impact
“The report said it would work for under 20,000 vehicles a day. Right now there are 20,000-22,000 vehicles a day. The report contradicted itself.”
Christine W. Fanchi. Photo via the City of Fort Lauderdale.
the complete street project in Wilton Manors.” The Florida Board of Professional Engineers is requesting permanent revocation of Fanchi’s engineering license and the issuance of an administrative fine, placing Fanchi on probation and assessing her costs related to the investigation. “I think that other engineers are going to take note of it and they are not going to play games with the traffic data,” Corbin said. “It was not just an oversight.” WMG
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