LTC 331-2020 Commuter Waterborne TransportationService by Poseidon Ferry LLCM IA M I BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DA TE: September 21, 2020
SUBJECT: Commuter Waterborne Transpo ation Service by Poseidon Ferry LLC
The purpose of this L TC is to inform the City Commission of Poseidon Ferry LLC's ongoing efforts
to establish commuter water ferry service between Miami Beach and downtown Miami using
double deck vessels with an air-conditioned lower deck. The service is privately owned and
operated with no public subsidy from the County, City of Miami, or City of Miami Beach.
The service is intended to cater to commuters during morning and afternoon peak periods on
weekdays, and the proposed fare structure is competitive with current public transit fares
($3/passenger each way). The service is scheduled to operate 7 days a week from approximately
6am-9:30pm Monday through Thursday, and 6am-8pm Friday through Sunday with as many as
16 scheduled hourly departures from Miami Beach each day. The proposed pick-up and drop-off
locations are the Bentley Bay Condominium marina in South Beach and the Hyatt
Regency/James L. Knight Center marina in downtown Miami in proximity to the Knight Center
Metromover station. Poseidon is planning to add a second vessel which would double the number
of departures and provide a service frequency of approximately 30 minutes.
In Miami Beach, Poseidon explored various docking locations within and in proximity to the Miami
Beach Marina. Unfortunately, after almost a year of coordinating with the Miami Beach Marina
management, Poseidon was unable to secure docking rights at the marina. As an alternative,
Poseidon approached the Bentley Bay Condominium for use of its marina and retail space within
the building for a ticket office and passenger waiting area with restrooms. The Bentley Bay marina
allows for commercial vessel operation.
Poseidon presented its proposed water ferry service operating plan to the City's Marine and
Waterfront Protection Authority (MWPA) meeting on September 8, 2020 and responded to
questions from board members and the public. The water ferry item was continued by the MWPA
to November/December 2020 to provide Poseidon time to secure the required permits and
approvals. The proposed service has received mixed feedback from some residents of the
Bentley Bay Condominium; and Poseidon is working closely with the Bentley Bay Condominium
Association to address any outstanding concerns with the proposed service.
Poseidon anticipates that it will take at least six months to secure all permits and approvals
required for docking and mooring of the vessel(s). In the interim, Poseidon is currently pursuing
331-2020
L TC- Commuter waterborne transportation service by Poseidon
September 21, 2020
Page 2
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) approval to use the existing dock at the
Bentley Bay marina on a temporary basis while the lease with the Bentley Bay marina is amended
to allow for permanent use of the dock. For the time being, the City has placed Poseidon's BTR
on a pending status until all necessary permit approvals are secured. It is important to note
that the City has no role in this private venture other than the ministerial function of issuing
a BTR once Poseidon secures all required approvals.
From the standpoint of transit connectivity and parking, the Bentley Bay marina is strategically
located as it is in close proximity to the South Beach Trolley service, County regional bus service,
and the Alton Road/5" Street parking garage which can serve as a park-and-ride facility for the
proposed ferry service.
In addition to the commuter ferry service, Poseidon is seeking to establish sightseeing and music
cruises to subsidize the commuter service. Based on information received from the County and
Poseidon, these recreational services, if provided, will operate only on the City of Miami side and
will not be arriving or departing from the Bentley Bay marina.
In December 2016, the City launched a water taxi pilot program at Purdy Dock. Due to its high
fares, infrequent service, and weekend service only, the pilot program was ineffective and
terminated by the City in December 2017. In contrast, the service proposed by Poseidon is a low
fare, high frequency, and commuter-based ferry service.
The proposed service aligns with City Commission Resolution No. 2019-30757 (attached) which
recommends that the Administration pursue strategies to help mitigate traffic impacts and ensure
mobility for residents, visitors, and workforce employees during the construction of the Florida
Department of Transportation (FOOT) 1-395 Signature Bridge project and other active and
planned FOOT roadway projects in and around the City.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Attachment: Resolution No. 2019-30757
PM
JLM/ATH/JRG/MM
https://miamibeach-my.sharepoint.com/personal/milosm ajstorovic_m iamibeachfl_gov/Documents/W aterborne/Poseidon Ferry/TC - Waterborne Transportation Service by Poseidon v4.doc
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-30757
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING
THE POTENTIAL TRAFFIC MITIGATION STRATEGIES
RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY ADMINISTRATION,
RECOMMENDING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WORK
WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DEPLOY THE
POTENTIAL TRAFFIC MITIGATION STRA TE GIES TO HELP
REDUCE THE TRAFFIC IMPACTS OF THE "CONNECTING
MIAMI" CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ON THE RESIDENTS,
VISITORS, AND WORKFORCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH; AND, REFERRING THE ITEM TO THE FINANCE
AND CITYWIDE PROJECTS COMMITTEE TO MONITOR
PROGRESS ON THE ISSUE AND DISCUSS RESULTS AND
IMPACTS.
WHEREAS, the I-395/SR 836/1-95 Project ("Connecting Miami") is a partnership
between the Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) and the Miami-Dade
Expressway Authority (MDX), with construction limits on State Road (SR) 836 beginning
at NW 17 Avenue and continuing through the SR 836/1-395/1-95 (Midtown) Interchange
to the MacArthur Causeway Bridge; and
WHEREAS, the Connecting Miami Project commenced in Summer 2018 and is
anticipated to be completed by Fall 2023; and
WHEREAS, traffic impacts during the multi-year construction project due to
multiple and continuous lane and ramp closures and detours along 1-95, SR 836, and
1-395 are expected to adversely affect mobility for Miami Beach residents, visitors, and
workforce employees; and
WHEREAS, the City Administration recommends that various traffic mitigation
strategies be explored and deployed, in collaboration with FOOT and Miami-Dade
County, to reduce the impact of the construction of this major project on the Miami
Beach community; and
WHEREAS, the traffic mitigation strategies to be explored should include, but
not be limited to, the following:
1. Accelerate the implementation of the Beach Express North Bus Express
Rapid Transit (BERT) Demonstration Service and Route 150 (Airport
Express) modifications
2. Enhance service of the County Route "A"
3. Explore waiving tolls on the Venetian Causeway
4. Explore waterborne transportation service connecting Downtown Miami and
Miami Beach; and
W H E R E A S , the City Commission deems it advisable to refer this item to the
Finance and Citywide Projects Committee to monitor the Connecting Miami Project and
discuss results and impacts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE
CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that the Mayor and
City Commission hereby approve the potential traffic mitigation strategies
recommended by the Administration, recommend that the Administration work with
Miami-Dade County and the Florida Department of Transportation to deploy the
potential traffic mitigation strategies to help reduce the impact on mobility from the
construction of the Connecting Miami Project on the residents, visitors, and workforce
of the City of Miami Beach, and refer the item to the Finance and Citywide Projects
Committee to monitor progress on the issue and discuss results and impacts.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 13 day of March, 2019. -----
ATTEST:
T:\AGENDA\2019103 March\Transportation\Resolution Traffic Mitigation
Dan Gelber, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
O.• s-5-%
Dote
Resolutions - R7 G
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORA NDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: March 13, 2019
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE POTENTIAL TRAFFIC
MITIGATION STRATEGIES RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION, RECOMMENDING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION
WORK WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO DEPLOY THE POTENTIAL TRAFFIC MITIGATION
STRATEGIES TO HELP REDUCE THE TRAFFIC IMPACTS OF THE
"CONNECTING MIAMI" CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ON THE RESIDENTS,
VISITORS, AND WORKFORCE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH; AND,
REFERRING THE ITEM TO THE FINANCE AND CITYWIDE PROJECTS
COMMITTEE TO MONITOR PROGRESS ON THE ISSUE AND DISCUSS
RES UL TS AND IMPACTS.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution.
BACKGROUND
The I-395/SR 836/1-95 Project ("Connecting Miami") is a partnership between the Florida
Department of Transportation (FOOT) and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX), with
construction limits on State Road (SR) 836 beginning at NW 17 Avenue and continuing through
the SR 836/1-395/1-95 (Midtown) Interchange to the MacArthur Causeway Bridge. The limits on
1-95 are from NW 8 Street to NW 29 Street.
Enhancements along I-395 are from the SR 836/1-95/1-395 (Midtown) Interchange to the
MacArthur Causeway, approximately 1.4 miles long. The project will completely reconstruct the
existing facility and create a signature bridge that will span 1,025 feet over NE 2 Avenue and
SR5/Biscayne Boulevard, redefining the Miami skyline with its six sweeping arches.
The project will create additional capacity on I-395 with a total of three (3) through lanes in each
direction and provide separate connector ramps for traffic to and from I-95. The existing I-395
eastbound off-ramps at NE 2 Avenue will be moved west to North Miami Avenue, and the
westbound on-ramps at NE 1 Avenue will be shifted to the west of North Miami Avenue. NW 2
Avenue will also be reconnected under 1-395, providing residents greater access.
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Mobility will be enhanced for residents, commuters and tourists by increasing capacity on SR
836, I-95 and 1-395. SR 836 will be double-decked to allow for a direct connection between SR
836 and I-395.
The Connecting Miami Project commenced in Summer 2018 and is anticipated to be
completed by Fall 2023. Traffic impacts during the multi-year construction project due to
multiple and continuous lane/ramp closures and detours along 1-95, SR 836, and I-395 are
expected to adversely affect mobility for Miami Beach residents, visitors, and workforce
employees.
As an example, over the three (3) year period that the FOOT Alton Road Reconstruction
Project from 5 Street to Michigan Avenue was under construction (from April 2013 to March
2016), average daily traffic volumes on the MacArthur Causeway decreased by approximately
9% as compared to pre-construction volumes. In contrast, average daily traffic volumes on the
Julia Tuttle Causeway increased by approximately 7% (essentially, over 10,000 additional vehicles
per day on the already congested Julia Tuttle Causeway.
This magnitude of traffic diversion from one major arterial to another as a result of a major
roadway reconstruction project is not uncommon as these types of projects are known to
effectuate changes in traffic patterns not only temporarily during construction, but sometimes
permanently even after construction is over.
ANALYSIS
The City of Miami Beach is concerned with the potential effects of the multi-year construction of
the Connecting Miami Project and recommends that various traffic mitigation strategies be
explored and deployed to ensure mobility for residents, visitors, and workforce employees
during the construction of this major project.
The traffic mitigation strategies to be explored should include, but not be limited to, the
following:
1. Accelerate the implementation of the Beach Express North Bus Express Rapid Transit
(BERT) Demonstration Service or Route 150 (Airport Express) Modifications.
The Miami-Dade County Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan contains six (6)
Rapid Transit Corridors and nine (9) Bus Express Rapid Transit (BERT) routes for Miami-
Dade County. BERT service consists of enhanced branded buses operating limited stop
service on shoulders or dedicated transit lanes, where feasible, to reduce travel time and help
ensure service schedule reliability. Advancing the BERT routes to Miami Beach could help
mitigate the impacts of the Connecting Miami projects.
There are three (3) BERT routes that are proposed to connect the mainland to Miami Beach.
The Beach Express North BERT route will run from Golden Glades Multimodal Center to the
Miami Beach City Center area via the Julia Tuttle Causeway. The Beach Express Central
BERT route will run from the Miami Civic Center/Health District complex to the Miami Beach
City Center area via the Julia Tittle Causeway. The Beach Express South BERT route will run
from Downtown Miami to the Miami Beach City Center area via the MacArthur Causeway.
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Via a R esolutio n of the C ity C om m ission, the C ity of M iam i B e ach allocate d funding in the
am ount of $5 .1 m ill io n for a 3-year B e ach E xpress N orth B E R T de m onstratio n servi ce using
the shoulders of the Julia Tuttle C auseway. The C ity's contribut io n is equ ally m atched by
FD O T funds fo r the de m onstratio n servi ce.
A s of D ecem be r 5, 20 18 , F D O T has program m ed funds fo r the design and co nstru ctio n of the
inside shoulde rs m odifications needed to operate the B E R T se rvi ce on the Julia T utt le
C ausewa y by 2022 . A go al of all parties is to w ork toward im plem entatio n prio r to the estim ated
2022 com pletio n date.
A dditionally, the A dm inistratio n is worki ng wi th the C o unty to po tentially m o dify exi sting bus
rout es (such as the A irp o rt E xp ress (R o ut e 15 0)) to provi de a connectio n to the E arlington
Heights M etrorail sta tion (pro viding access to com m uters fr om northwest M iam i-D ade and west
B row ard) and stop at M t. S inai and Fo ntainebleau, as an interim se rvi ce enhancem ent. T he go al
is to im plem ent the interim se rv ice as part of the C ounty's new se rv ice line -up in N o vem be r
2019 . A dvancing a m odified R oute 15 0 could also help m itigate the traff ic im pacts of the
C onnecting M iam i P roject.
2. E nhance se rv ice of the C o unty Route "A "
T he original R o ute A ope rated along the V enetian C auseway co nnecting O m ni S tatio n in
M iam i and W ashington A venue/Li ncoln R o ad area in M iam i Be ach. A s a result of we ig ht
restrictions im po sed by the C o unty on the V enetian C ausewa y bridges in 20 14, th e ro ute and
servi ce plan was m odified and currently consists of lim ited se rvi ce betw ee n O m ni S tatio n and
Sunset H arb o ur using sm aller vehicles (cutaways), operating on a lim ited sche d ule of 7 .5 ho urs
per day (7:00A M to 9:32A M and 2:00 P M to 6:52P M ). O n a lo ng term basis, the C o unty's plan
is to reestablish the original R o ut e A se rvi ce plan wh en all the V enetian C ause way brid g e s are
reconstru cted and allow fo r ope rat ion of regular bus serv ice. In the m eanwh ile , the C o unty do e s
not have any plans fo r enhancing the curr ent serv ice. R o ut e A se rv ice enhancem ent was m o st
recently discussed by the C ity C o m m ission in Febru ary 20 18 and a R eso lution w as ado pted by
the C ity C o m m issio n urging M iam i-D ade C o unty to reinstate, at no cost to the C ity of M iam i
Beach, the original R o ute A se rv ice plan; however, no serv ice im provem e nts have be e n m ade
by the C ounty .
E nhancing the R oute A serv ice could be a potential traff ic m itigatio n stra teg y. B ase d on an
previous analysis co nducted by staff in coo rdinatio n wi th the C o unty, the increm enta l co st of
restoring the original R out e A serv ice plan would be approxi m ately $2 30 ,000/year fo r
ap proxim at ely 11 hours of servi ce per day from M onday to S unday.
3. E xplore waiving tolls on the Venetian C ausewa y
D uring previous constru ction projects on the C ity's causeways, at the request of th e C ity, M iam i-
D ade C ounty has waived toll colle ction along th e V enetian C ausewa y. T his in itiative has be e n
put into eff ect to im pro ve capacity and m obility betw ee n M iam i Beach and the m ainland .
W aiving tolls on the V enetian C auseway can assist in reducing traff ic de m and on the M acA rt hur
C auseway wh ich wi ll be affected by the C o nnecting M iam i P roject. Furth er, th is initiative co uld
help balance traff ic volum e s along the other causeways into the C ity and re duce the overall
Page 1265 of 1418
impact of the project. This measure would require prior approval by the Miami-Dade Board of
County Commissioners, thus, coordination wi th Miami-Dade County would be required if this
option is explored.
4. Explore waterb orne transportation service connecting Down town Miami and Miami Beach
The City's most recent solicitation fo r waterborne transportation servi ces wa s issued in 2014
and resulted in only one (1) operator (W ater Taxi Miami, Inc.) submitting a bid and ultimately
operating a one (1) year wa ter tax i pilot program from December 30, 2016 to December 30,
2017, connecting the Purdy Avenue Dock, Sea Isle Marina, Bayside Marketplace, and Miami
Beach Marina. The original solicitation stipulated that the water taxi services shall be provided at
no cost to the City and for the operator to provide necessary infrastru cture fo r the safe
operation, including docking facility, of the service. The wa ter taxi pilot program with Water Taxi
Miami was terminated on December 30, 2017 and for various reasons, the pilot was not
deemed to be a practical, competitive, reliable, convenient, or financially viable operation.
A temporary water taxi service operating between Miami and Miami Beach could potentially help
mitigate the traffic impacts of the Connecting Miami Project. The same docks used during the
City's previous water taxi pilot program could be used for the temporary service. Establishing a
reliable water taxi service, albeit as a temporary traffic mitigation strategy, would likely require an
operating subsidy. Moreover, given a water taxi service would need to connect the cities of
Miami Beach and Miami, it is recommended that this option be explored in collaboration
with Miami-Dade County and current water taxi operators.
Active Work Zone Traffic Monitoring and Management
As part of the Connecting Miami Project, FOOT will deploy Active Work Zone Traffic Monitoring
and Management services along the affected project corridors. This initiative consists of
deploying cameras to monitor traffic conditions, wi-fi/Bluetooth devices to gauge travel time,
Variable Message Signs to disseminate real-time information on closures and incidents to the
motoring public, and Road Rangers to help clear incidents blocking travel lanes. This effort will
be managed by FOOT SunGuide Traffic Management Center and the same contractor that has
been providing Traffic Monitoring and Management Services for the City of Miami Beach for
over4 years.
This initiative was utilized during the Alton Road Reconstruction Project between 5 Street and N.
Michigan Avenue and proved to be successful in reducing some of the congestion created by
the lane closures and detours. The implementation of Active Work Zone Traffic Monitoring and
Management for the FOOT Connecting Miami Project would extend the capabilities of the City's
current Traffic Monitoring and Management effort and planned Intelligent Transportation System
and Smart Parking System Project by enhancing the sharing of real-time traffic information,
traffic data, incident information, and other relevant items to assist in managing congestion and
help reduce spill-back onto City roads.
CONCLUSION
The construction of the $800 million Connecting Miami Project currently being undertaken in a
partnership between FOOT and MDX is expected to have a significant impact on mobility for
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Miami Beach residents, visitors, and workforce employees due to multi-year lane closures, ramp
closures, and detours on 1-95, 1-395, and SR 836.
The City is concerned with the anticipated impacts to mobility during project construction and
believes that the implementation of traffic mitigation strategies in collaboration with FOOT and
the County is essential to reduce the impact of the project on the Miami Beach community.
KEY INTENDED OUTCOMES SUPPORTED
Ensure Comprehensive Mobility Addressing All Modes Throughout The City
Legislative Tracking
Transportation
Sponsor
Commissioner Mark Samuelian
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
D Resolution
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