LTC 360-2017 Beach Corridor Direct Connection Transit Project Update - RevisedMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC #
360-2017
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members o the Citymmission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: July 12, 2017
SUBJECT: BEACH CORRIDOR DIRECT CO'' NECTION TRANSIT PROJECT UPDATE -
REVISED
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to provide an update on the status of the
Beach Corridor Direct Connection transit project. Between 2003 and 2016, Miami -Dade
County, in collaboration with cities of Miami Beach and Miami, as well as the Florida
Department of Transportation conducted several studies and actions to advance the proposed
Beach Corridor Transit Connection Project, formerly known as Bay Link. In 2016, the City of
Miami Beach initiated the Project Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the Miami Beach
Light Rail/Modern Streetcar Project, as well as procurement for a Public -Private Partnership
(P3) Developer for the proposed project.
At the December 14, 2016 Commission meeting, the City Commission unanimously approved a
Resolution that, in summary:
1. Directs City Administration to work with County administration to advance short-term
transit initiatives such as Bus Express Rapid Transit (BERT) service and long-term for a
light rail/modern streetcar connection across the MacArthur Causeway to connect
Downtown Miami with the City of Miami Beach;
2. Suspends approval of an Interim Agreement with our top-ranked P3 Proposer until
Miami -Dade County Board of County Commissioners takes formal action that would
indicate the County's commitment to with the County's Beach Corridor Project (i.e., the
connection across the MacArthur Causeway);
3. Directs City Administration to pursue federal, state and local funding for the Miami Beach
Project; and
4. Directs City Administration to complete the environmental documents.
BEACH CORRIDOR DIRECT CONNECTION PROJECT
On May 11, 2017, Miami -Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW)
authorized its consultant team to start work on the Project Development and Environment
(PD&E) Study for the Beach Corridor Transit Connection Project, expected to be completed in
12 months, in response to Miami -Dade County Board of County Commissioners' latest directive.
This study will be authorized in phases. Currently, the consultants have been tasked to conduct
a "high-level" screening of technologies and alignment options, along with potential associated
technical, environmental, cost, and community considerations. In addition, the scope of work
will include the technical studies necessary to complete the mandatory National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, to qualify for potential Federal and State funding. In March
2018, DTPW will provide an update on the PD&E Study to the Board of County Commissioners.
Letter to Commission — Beach Corridor Direct Connection Transit Project Update
Page 2 of 2
July 11, 2017
DTPW is developing the Public Involvement Plan, which will include the formation of a Project
Advisory Group and a Technical Advisory Committee, of which the City of Miami Beach will be
an invited member. DTPW will hold Beach Corridor Kick-off meetings as listed below. Note that
the date of the elected officials and public agency kick-off meeting has been moved to July 25,
to avoid conflict with the City of Miami Beach Commission meeting on July 26:
Elected Officials and Public Agency Kick-off Meeting:
July 25, 3pm — 5 pm
Culmer Community Action Center
1600 NW 3rd Avenue, Miami, FL 33136
General Public Meeting:
July 25, 6pm — 8 pm
Culmer Community Action Center
1600 NW 3rd Avenue, Miami, FL 33136
General Public Meeting:
July 27, 6pm — 8 pm
New World Symphony
500 17th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
As is customary in these regional studies, DTPW and its consultants schedule one-on-
one briefings for elected officials who are directly concerned, or who may be interested
or involved in the outcome of such studies. Typically, these briefings are held before public
meetings, to afford leadership the opportunity to be updated on the project status, have
questions answered, and voice their concerns. Such one-on-one briefings are being scheduled
over the next couple of weeks with City of Miami Beach Mayor and Commissioners.
BUS EXPRESS RAPID TRANSIT (BERT) PROJECT
As an interim transit improvement, DTPW intends to accelerate the Miami Beach BERT project,
which would connect Downtown Miami with the Miami Beach Convention Center via the
MacArthur Causeway. DTPW anticipates implementation of the Miami Beach BERT project by
December 2017. The attached map of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan
depicts three (3) corridors that would provide direct enhanced and express bus service to the
City of Miami Beach: Beach Express North, Beach Express Central, and Beach Express South.
The Miami Beach Bert network would run along the Julia Tuttle Causeway (1-195), Washington
Avenue, 5th Street, and the MacArthur Causeway (1-395).
Coordination between the Miami Beach Transportation Department and County DTPW is
ongoing, including identifying potential stop locations and finalizing operations scenarios.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Attachment: SMART Plan Map
KGB/JRG/WAB
F:\IRAN\$ALL\LTC\LTC - Beach corridor Transit Connection Update June 30 2017.docx