Traffic Safety

Background and timeline. Please scroll down for the latest updates. 

Traffic speeds along Cypress Creek Road have been of concern to the community given the number of bus stops, cyclists, and walkers along this roadway. In early 2019, the Traffic Calming Committee reach out to AA County traffic engineer to confirm the safety concern and advise on a remediation strategy. The County conducted two traffic studies on Cypress Creek Road, implemented countermeasures, and advised additional actions to reduce speed.

1. July 2019: data showed 85% of drivers were below 38 mph in a 30-mph zone, and 15% were driving above 38 mph (St. Johns area). Past Dill Road, 85% of drivers were below 32 mph in a 25-mph zone, and 15% above 32 mph. (see map on page 2) 

2. In response a police officer was stationed in the area, and on two separate occasions a sign was placed that flashed the driver’s speed. Later, in Sep 2019, white edge-lines were painted to narrow travel lanes and encourage a lower speed.

3. November 2019: A second speed study was conducted November 2019. Data showed 85% of drivers were below 38 mph in a 30-mph zone, and 15% were driving above 38 mph.

4. In March 2020, the County traffic engineer advised two options: a speed hump or a chicane. Each speed hump would cost approximately $2100, and a chicane would be paid by the County. The County was to test the feasibility of the chicane option in Mar 2020, but progress was paused due to COVID. 

5. In November 2020, CIA conducted a vote, asking “Would you like to see speed humps installed?” Approximately 70 households responded and 60% did not want to expend funds for a speed hump. During subsequent General Meetings, participants discussed and noted that the chicane alternative was preferred. 

6. August 2021: the chicane feasibility was tested this August 2021, confirming that all required vehicle types, including school buses and fire/emergency vehicles, can safely navigate a chicane if placed between Cypress Pointe and Isaiah Drive on Cypress Creek Road. The layout also provides a dedicated space for cyclists. 

7. November 2021: All residents were encouraged to attend the Nov. 8, 2021 general meeting, with the County Traffic Engineer in attendance, to discuss pros and cons associated with no action, a speed hump, or a chicane, as well as how the County determines/proposes safety improvements, to ask questions about specific proposed improvements along Cypress Creek Rd, and to share thoughts or concerns. 

8. January 2022: All Cypress Creek residents were invited to vote online for/against the potential installation of a physical traffic safety countermeasure on Cypress Creek Road.  This vote was open to all residents of Cypress Creek Road (east of Ritchie Highway) and its neighborhood streets. The results from the vote were presented at the January 10, 2022 general meeting.  Based on response from the poll, the community does want to implement a traffic calming countermeasure. The CIA board will send a follow up poll, to CIA members, which will include the options available, and the costs (if any) that are associated with each option.  

9. February 2022: A final vote was conducted the last week of February, specifically for what type of traffic calming measure to install along Cypress Creek Rd. CIA members voted between a chicane or speed hump and were presented with information on the pros/cons/costs associated with each option. This information, including the link to vote, was included in membership renewal packets and hand-delivered to every home in the Cypress Creek community. The flyer can be found HERE/BELOW. 

10. March 2022: The general membership meeting agenda included an update on the February/final traffic safety vote results. Over 100 votes were received with the community opting for the chicane option. 

11. April 2022: The installation of the chicane traffic safety countermeasure is now planned on Cypress Creek Road between Isaiah Drive and Cypress Pointe Drive based on the data set of two votes as described above. AA County Traffic Engineering Division has indicated it will proceed with first installing the chicane 'temporarily' using removable curbing in case adjustments need to be made. Once satisfied the chicane will be made permanent by pouring the concrete. Timing is anticipated during the summer months.

12. June 2022: The temporary chicane was installed. The county will perform after studies in approximately two weeks time and six weeks time to report back to the community association. Resident feedback can be communicated directly to the county traffic engineering division, Eric Tabacek, at pwtaba20@aacounty.org or via phone at 410-222-7331.  

13. July 2022: A general membership meeting was held on July 11th with a key agenda item for discussion of the temporary chicane. Chair of the traffic calming committee shared a general summary and broad timeline of the traffic calming efforts and background over the course of the last 3+ years for those who were unfamiliar. All were invited to share their feedback and ask questions about the temporary chicane. Traffic committee chair compiled the input presented at the meeting and provided it to the traffic engineering division immediately following the meeting. Additionally, residents were encouraged to share their feedback directly with the county traffic engineer (contact info in item above).  In response to the feedback, and to the new traffic pattern created by the chicane, traffic engineers are conducting additional testing. This includes peak hour observations, as well as collecting new traffic speed data to the east and to the west of the chicane as traffic enters and exits the chicane. 

14. September 2022: A general membership meeting was held on Monday, Sept. 19.  The chair of the traffic calming committee presented after-study data from the additional traffic testing which was done with the temporary chicane in place (per the above item). The board will review the additional study data at the next board meeting on Oct. 10 and determine next steps. 

15. October 2022: The CIA presented additional study data which was conducted by the county with the temporary chicane in place.  The temporary chicane reduced 85th percentile speeds by 5.5 miles per hour in the east direction (towards pier) and 0.4 miles per hour in the west direction (towards Ritchie Hwy). Now that CIA members have had time to experience the temporary chicane, and to review the additional speed study data, the CIA has initiated a vote on whether the speed hump or chicane is preferred, based on all the information available. Both measures will help reduce speeding along Cypress Creek Rd, and improve the safety of our neighborhood pedestrian, cyclists, and motorists. To note, the CIA does not have data on how much a speed hump would reduce 85th percentile speeds, as a temporary speed hump is not an option. CIA members were emailed on 10/22/22 with a link to vote by the November 6 deadline on whether your household prefers the chicane or the speed hump. Reminders to vote were emailed on 10/25/22 and on 10/30/22. Based on the final vote, the CIA will confirm with AA County which installation to make permanent.

16. November 2022: Traffic vote results were reviewed.  All votes were cross-checked to remove duplicates and confirm household membership.  Speed Hump received 58% of the votes. Chicane received 42% of the votes.  Speed hump is preferred.  While the chicane would have been paid for by the county, there is an expense associated with speed humps. The cost of the speed hump has been donated/pledged to be paid by resident Bonnie Wolfe. The CIA board will inform AA County accordingly. 

17. January 2023: The CIA board and traffic calming chair have notified AA County of the vote results to remove the temporary chicane and install a speed hump instead. The county has acknowledged this request and advised the speed hump construction is expected to be completed by July 2023.  It will be installed along Cypress Creek Road between CypressPointe Drive and Isaiah Drive. The community’s share of the cost of the speed humps is $55.00 per foot width of road. The width of Cypress Creek Road is 38 ft., thus the community’s share of the cost for the speed hump is $2,090.00. The expense has been donated by longtime resident and realtor, Bonnie Wolfe. Bonnie has made a donation of $2,500 to cover the expense of the speed hump with the remaining funds to be used for beautification. 

18. March 2023: At the general membership meeting the status of the project was discussed. July is still the estimated completion date for the removal of the temporary chicane and installation of permanent speed hump. Prior to the meeting, via email, community members suggested to explore the possibility of two speed humps. This was discussed during the meeting. A motion passed to continue, as planned, with the one speed hump. Then based on the effects of the first speed hump we can then assess if additional countermeasures are necessary. 

19. April 2023: AA County removed the temporary chicane and installed the permanent speed hump. The CIA will work with AA traffic engineering to determine the effects on speeding from the speed hump and then assess if additional countermeasures are necessary. The Cypress Improvement Association, via the traffic safety committee, will continue to assess traffic calming needs ongoing. 

20. July 2023: Speed hump was permanenty installed. We appreciate the multi-year effort by our traffic calming committee, led by John Dottellis, and the generous donation by Bonnie Wolfe to fund this important safety mechanism. 

21. January 2024: An updated traffic study will be requested to assess the results of the speed hump and determine if additional countermeasures are needed.