LTC 018-2021 Commuter Waterborne Transportation Service by Poseidon Ferry LLCDocuSign Envelope ID: 54148D98-1FE2-4B21-87D4-72964A495556B
MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. L TC# 018-2021 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
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DATE: January 14, 2021
SUBJECT: Commuter Waterborne Transportation Service by Poseidon Ferry LLC
The purpose of this L TC is to inform the City Commission of Poseidon Ferry LLC's temporary
suspension of water ferry service between Miami Beach and downtown Miami. The service is
privately owned and operated with no public subsidy from the County, City of Miami, or City of
Miami Beach. Poseidon Ferry launched the service on November 29, 2020 using double-deck
vessel with an air-conditioned lower deck. Service commencement was shared with the City
Commission via L TC No. 422-2020 (attached).
Based on a communication received from Poseidon Ferry, the service is being suspended from
Monday, January 11, 2021 through Friday, March 26, 2021. Poseidon Ferry pointed to low
ridership potential at the current time due to the pandemic and some operational details as the
main reasons for this decision. Over the 43 days of ferry operation, service was provided to 3,023
passengers (average of 70 passengers per day).
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
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N'A/1BEACH
OFF ICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO LTC # 422-2020 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: November 25, 2020
SUBJECT: Commuter Waterborne Transportation Service by Poseidon Ferry LLC
The purpose of this L TC is to inform the City Commission of Poseidon Ferry LL C's launch of
commuter water ferry service betw een Miami Beach and downtown Miami anticipated for
November 29, 2020, using a double deck vessel with an air-conditioned lower deck. The service
is privately owned and operated with no public subsidy from Miami-Dade County, City of
Miami, or City of Miami Beach.
The service is intended to cater to commuters during morning and afternoon peak periods both
on weekdays and weekends and the proposed commuter fare structure is competitive with current
public transit fares ($3/passen ger each way). The servi ce is sch eduled to op erate 7 days a week
from approximately 6am-10pm Monday through Thursday, an d 6am-8pm Friday through Sunday
with as many as 16 sche duled hourly departures from Miami Beach each day. The established
pick-up and drop-off loca tions 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 in early 2021 which
would double the number of depar tures an d provide a service frequen cy 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 secured the Bentley Bay marina for vessel operation and retail space within the building
for a ticket office and passenger waiting area with restrooms
Poseidon presented its proposed water ferry service operating plan to the City's Marine and
Waterfront Protection Authority (MWPA) on September 8, 2020 and responded to questions from
board members and the public The water ferry item was continued by the MWPA to December
2020 to provide Poseidon time to secure the required permits and approvals. The proposed
service has rec eived 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 upcoming service. In the meanwhile, Poseidon has secured 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
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LTC Commuter waterborne transportation service by Poseidon
November 25 2020
for permanent use of the dock. Poseidon will present its operating plan to MWPA in December.
In addition to the commuter ferry service, Poseidon is pursuing sightseeing and music cruises to
subsidize the commuter service. Based on information received from the County and Poseidon,
these recreational services will operate only on the City of Miami side and will not be arriving at
or departing from the Bentley Bay marina.
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 has secured all required approvals.
A s a co n d itio n of th e issu a n ce o f its B T R, P o sei d o n a g re e s to fo llo w a ll a p p lica b le fe d e ra l, sta te ,
a n d lo ca l la w s, in a d d itio n to strictly a d h e rin g to th o se co n d itio n s se t fo rt h in its B T R a n d in clu d e d
in A ckn o w le d g m e n t Le tt e r. The intent of the Acknowledgment Letter is to ensure that
Poseidon's ferry service operation provides for a high level of safety and security of ferry
passengers and does not adversely affect the quality of life of residents in the
area (Attachment A).
F ro m th e stan dp oi n t o f tran sit con n e ct ivi ty an d pa rkin g . the B en tl e y B a y m ar ina is str a te gi c al ly
lo cat e d a s it is in clo se pr o ximi ty to the S o u th B e a ch Tr ol le y ser vic e . C o un ty re gi on al bu s ser vic e ,
a n d the A lton R o a d /5 " S tre et par kin g g ar a g e wh ich can serve as a park-and-ride facility for the
proposed ferry service
The proposed service aligns with City Commission Resolution No. 2019-30757 (Attach men t B)
which recommen ds that the Administration pursue strategies to help mitigate traffic imp acts 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
p la n n e d F O O T ro a d way projects in and around the City.
S h o u ld yo u ha ve a n y q u e stio n s, ple a se fe e l fr e e to co n ta ct m e .
A tt a ch m e n t A: A ckn o w le d g m e n t Le tt e r
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Attachment A
MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
Tel. 305-673-7470, Fax 305-673-7002
November 25, 2020
Poseidon Ferry, LLC
400 SE 2" Avenue
Miami, FL 33131
Dear Sir or Madam:
This correspondence shall serve as an acknowledgment of those conditions included in the
Business Tax Receipt ("BTR") issued by the City of Miami Beach, Florida ("City") to Poseidon
Ferry, LLC ("Poseidon"), a Foreign Limited Liability Company, authorized to do business in the
State of Florida, and the City of Miami Beach, Florida.
Poseidon operates a privately owned water ferry commuter service between Miami Beach
(Bentley Bay Marina) and downtown Miami. As a condition of the issuance of its BTR, Poseidon
agrees to follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws (in addition to strictly adhering to those
conditions set forth in its BTR) in order to operate within the City's jurisdictional limits.
Consequently, the failure of Poseidon to comply with any of the conditions set forth below (and
as set forth in its BTR) will result in the City issuing a notice of violation to Poseidon, which shall
be subject to those enhanced penalties for any violation(s) of same, and may result in a
suspension and/or revocation of Poseidon's BTR.
1) Permits:
a) Poseidon shall secure all necessary approvals and permits for operation of such water
ferry service from all applicable agencies involved and shall maintain all permits in active
status and good standing.
2) Safety and security:
a) Poseidon shall provide security personnel on the ferry at all times during operational
hours;
b) Poseidon shall provide shore side personnel at all times during operational hours to assist
with securing the vessel, along with assisting and guiding passengers;
e) Poseidon shall ensure passenger queuing lines are closely monitored and shall not
obstruct pedestrian pathways along the public right-of-way.
3) Noise:
a) Poseidon shall comply with applicable State and local noise ordinances at all times.
4) Signage:
a) Poseidon shall install adequate directional signage for passengers upon Bentley Bay
Marina's property and/or the City's right-of-way. Prior to the installation of any signage on
the City's right-of-way, Poseidon must seek and obtain written approval from the City
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5) Operation:
a) Poseidon shall communicate any changes in operating plan to the City's Transportation
and Mobility Department;
b) Poseidon shall report passenger statistics (number of persons boarding in Miami Beach
and the City of Miami respectively) to the City's Transportation and Mobility Department
on a monthly basis.
It is expressly agreed that nothing contained herein shall operate as a waiver or limitation of any
rights or remedies afforded to the City, whether conferred by this acknowledgment or pursuant to
law.
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA
.EE. }rrsy# 1.15 » EST
Jimmy L. Morales
City Manager
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
1700 Convention Center Drive, 4th Floor
Miami Beach, Florida 33139 •• "l"IM
ATHIJRGIMM
POSEIDON FERRY, LLC
QDocuS1gned by:
laatau Slia
By. 31EgAIgrOIO
11/25/2020 I 10:58 AM PST
Print Name: Johnathan C. SIlvi a
Title: chief Executive officer
POSEIDON FERRY, LLC
400 SE 2" Avenue
Miami, FL 33131
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Attachment 8
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 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; ANO, REFERRING THE ITEM TO THE FINANCE
AND CITYWIDE PROJECTS COMMITTEE TO MONITOR
PROGRESS ON THE ISSUE AND DISCUSS RESULTS AND
IMPACTS.
WHEREAS, the 1-395/SR 836/1-95 Project ("Con necting Miami") is a partnership
between the Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) and the Miami-D ade
Expressway Autho rity (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. Enha nce 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
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WH E R E A S , th e Ci ty Comm ission deems it advisable to refer this item to the
Finance and Citywide Pr o jects Com mi ttee to m on itor the Conne cting Miami Project and
discuss results and im pacts.
N O W , T H E R E FO R E . B E IT D U LY R E S O LV E D B Y THE M A YO R AN D THE
C ITY C O M M IS S IO N O F TH E C ITY O F M IA M I B E A C H, FLO R ID A that the Mayor and
City Com m ission hereby appro ve the potential traffic mitigation strategies
recom m ended by the Adm inistration, recommend that the Administra tion work with
M iam i-Dade County and the Florida Department of Transportation to deploy the
potential traffi c mitigation strategies to help reduce the impact on mobility from the
constru ction of the Con necting Miami Project on the residents, visitors, and workforce
of the C ity of Miam i Beach, and refer the item to the Finance and Cityw ide Pro jects
Com m ittee to m onitor pro gre ss on the issue and discuss results and impacts.
PA S S E D and AD O P TE D this 13 day of March, 2019. ----
A TT ES T :
Dan Gelber, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION .0.' 3-5-1%
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Resolutions - R7 G
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
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
RESULTS AND IMPACTS.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution.
BACKGROUNO
The 1-395/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 1-395 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 1-95. 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 -395, providing residents greater access.
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Mobility will be enhanced for residents, commuters and tourists by increasing capacity on SR
836, 1-95 and 1-395. SR 836 will be double-decked to allow for a direct connection between SR
836 and 1-395.
The Connecting Miami Project commenced in Summ er 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 1-395 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 Causewa y 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 Causewa y
This magnitude of traffi c 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 Muitimodal Center to the
Miami Beach City Center area via the Julia Tuttle Causewa y. 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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V ia a R eso lutio n of the C ity C om m ission, the C ity of M iam i Beach allocated funding in the
am ount of $5.1 m illion for a 3-year Beach Express N orth B E R T dem onstration servi ce using
the shoulde rs of the Julia Tutt'e C ausew ay. The C ity's contribut ion is equally m atched by
FO O T funds fo r the dem ons tration servi ce.
A s of D e cem b er 5, 2018 , FD O T has pro gram m ed funds fo r the design and constru ction of the
insid e shoulde rs m odifications needed to operate the B E R T serv ice on the Julia Tutt le
C ausew ay by 20 22. A goal of all parties is to w ork toward im plem entation prior to the estim ated
20 22 co m p letio n date.
A dd itio nally, the A dm inistration is wor king with the C o unty to potentially m odify existing bus
routes (such as the A irp ort Express (R out e 15 0)) to provi de a connection to the Earlington
H e ights M etrorail sta tion (providing access to com m uters from northwest M iam i-D ade and west
B row ard) and stop at M t. S inai and Fontainebleau, as an interim servi ce enhancem ent. The goal
is to im p lem e nt the interim serv ice as part of the C ounty's new serv ice line-up in Novem ber
2019. A dvan cing a m odified R oute 15 0 could also help m itigate the tra ffi c im pacts of the
C onnecting M iam i Pro ject.
2. En han ce serv ice of the C ounty R oute "A "
T he orig inal R oute A operated along the Venetian C auseway connecting O m ni Sta tion in
M iam i and W ashington A venue/Li ncoln R oad area in M iam i Beach. A s a result of we ight
restrictions im posed by the C ounty on the V enetian Causeway bridges in 2014, th e route and
servi ce plan w as m odified and curr ently consists of lim ited servi ce between O m ni Station an d
S unset H arb o ur using sm aller vehicles (cut aw ays), operating on a lim ited schedule of 7.5 ho urs
pe r day (7.00AM t o 9:32A M and 2:00P M to 6:52P M ). O n a long term basis, the C ounty's plan
is to reestablish the original R oute A servi ce plan wh en all the V enetian C auseway bridges are
reco nstru cted and allow fo r operation of regular bus serv ice. In the m eanwh ile, the County does
not have any plans fo r enhancing the curr ent serv ice. R out e A serv ice enhancem ent wa s m ost
recently discusse d by the C ity C om m ission in February 2018 and a R esolution was adopted by
the C ity C o m m ission urging M iam i-D ade C ounty to reinstate, at no cost to the City of M iam i
Be a ch, the original R oute A serv ice plan: how ever. no serv ice im provem ents have been m ade
by the C o unty .
Enhancing the R oute A serv ice could be a potential traffi c m itigation stra tegy. Based on an
previo us analysis conducted by staff in coordination w ith the C ounty, the increm enta l cost of
restorin g th e original R oute A servi ce plan w oul d be appr o xi m at ely $230,0 00/year for
ap pro xi m atel y 11 hours of serv ice per day fro m M onday to S unday
3. Explore w aiving tolls on the Venetian C ausewa y
D urin g previ o us cons tru ction projects on th e City's causeways, at th e request of th e City Miami-
D ade C ounty has w aiv ed tol l colle ction alon g th e V ene tian C auseway. This initiative has been
put int o eff ect to imp rove cap acity and m obility between Mi ami Beach and th e mainlan d
W aiving to lls on the V enetian C ausew ay can assist in reducing traffic dem and on th e M acArth ur
C a use w ay w hich wi ll be affected by the C onnecting M iam i Pro ject. Further, this initiative could
hel p bal an ce traf fic vol um es alon g th e other causeways into th e C ity an d reduce th e overall
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impact of the project. This measure would require prior approval by the Miami-Dade Board of
County Commissioners, thus, coordination with Miami-Dade County would be required if this
option is explored.
4. Explore waterborne transportation service connecting Downtown Miami and Miami Beach
The City's most recent solicitation for waterborne transportation serices was issued in 2014
and resulted in only one (1) operator (Water Taxi Miami, Inc.) submitting a bid and ultimately
operating a one (1) year water taxi 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 infrastructure for the safe
operation, including docking facility, of the service. The water 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
over 4 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 FDOT 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
Resolution
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