057-1998 LTC
CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 17J0 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA 33139
OFFICE OF THE CITY M~~NAGER
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TELEPHONE: (305) 673-7010
FAX: (305) 673-7782
L.T.C. NO. 57-1998
DATE:
l"lay I, 1998
TO:
l"layor Neisen 0, Kasdin and
l"lembers of the City C mmission
~
FROM:
Sergio Rodriguez
City Manager
SUBJECT: STATUS UPDATE ON THE VENETIAN CAUSEWAY EAST BASCULE BRIDGE
Following the incident of Friday, April 17, 1998, when the east bascule bridge malfunctioned, a meeting
was held on Tuesday, April 21 st, with representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT), United States Coast Guard Bridge Section, Miami-Dade County Public Works and the City of
Miami,
During the meeting, the City reiterated its request to maintain the east bascule bridge in a closed position
until the west bascule bridge becomes operational in mid-1999, Additionally, the City requested a two
week delay in the testing of the bridge, and the FDOT agreed to this request. The meeting concluded
with the City indicating that it would pursue its request with the Marine Safety Office of the U,S, Coast
Guard, in an effort to extend the duration of the safety zone, and the restriction on bridge openings,
presently in place,
On Wednesday, April 29, 1998, City staff met with Captain David Miller, of the Marine Safety Office of
the U,S, Coast Guard, Chief John Winslow, of the Bridge Section of the U,S, Coast Guard and
representatives of the FDOT. At the meeting, the City formally presented to the U,S, Coast Guard
representatives City Resolution No, 98-22716, urging the U,S, Coast Guard to maintain the east bascule
bridge on the Venetian Causeway in a closed position, in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare,
until the west bascule bridge on the Venetian Causeway is completed and operable,
The meeting concluded with the U,S, Coast Guard representatives indicating that they would respond
in writing to the City's request, but also stated that at the moment they were unable to justify the City's
request to maintain the east bascule bridge in a closed position,
I will keep you advised of future developments on this issue and will coordinate other available options
to the City, with the City Attorney's office,
!~
i
sRA~1/J /MA/ch
F:\WORK\$ALL\CA DIDA\GFAVEDEP\EBASCULE,L T2
c: Murray Dubbin, City Attorney
Harry 1"1 avrogenes, Assistant City Manager
Robert Dixon, Deputy City Attorney
Julio Grave de Peralta, Public Works Director
Michael Alvarez, Superintendent of Public Works