2008-26769 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2008-26769
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS IN THE PORT
TUNNEL PLANS TO PROTECT THE HISTORIC VENETIAN
CAUSEWAY FROM NOISE AND TRAFFIC.
WHEREAS, the 80 year old Venetian Causeway has been voted one of the nation's most
scenic roads and is a popular stretch for people to jog, ride bikes, walk dogs, and stroll; and
WHEREAS, the Venetian Causeway links downtown Miami to Miami Beach via a chain
of islands known as the Venetian Islands and is listed on National Register of Historic Places. A
series of twelve bridges connect the six islands to the mainland and Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Venetian Causeway was built in 1926, was renovated approximately ten
years ago, and is now straining under the pressure of the highest traffic use in its 80 year history.
Cracks are evident in the bridges and concrete spalling is noticeable; and
WHEREAS, funds were recently authorized for the construction of a new tunnel
connecting the MacArthur Causeway to the Port of Miami, with the hope that the tunnel will
keep trucks off of downtown Miami streets thereby relieving traffic congestion; and
WHEREAS, the residents of the Venetian Islands are concerned that the planned
expansion of the MacArthur West Bridge is insufficient, and the lack of any planned expansion
for I-395 will clog an already busy MacArthur Causeway, sending frustrated drivers to the
Venetian Causeway; and
WHEREAS, the residents of the Venetian Islands are also concerned that the noise of
trucks using the MacArthur Causeway to access the proposed tunnel will be detrimental to
Venetian Islands neighborhoods.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that the Miami-Dade
County Board of County Commissions is hereby urged to include provisions to protect the
historic and fragile Venetian Causeway from any resulting increase in noise and traffic in its
plans for the proposed tunnel connecting the MacArthur Causeway to the Port of Miami.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th
ATTEST:
R BERT PARCHER, CITY CLERK
F:\atto\TURN\RESOS\Venetian Causeway.doc
day of February , 2008.
M O Matti H. Bower
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City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: MAYOR MATTI H. BOWER
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION
CITY MANAGER JORGE M. GONZALEZ
FROM: CITY ATTORNEY JOSE SMITH` ~~
DATE: FEBRUARY 13, 2008
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA URGING THE
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS IN THE
PORT TUNNEL PLANS TO PROTECT THE HISTORIC
VENETIAN CAUSEWAY FROM NOISE AND TRAFFIC.
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Saul Gross, the above-referenced Resolution is
submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission.
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