The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works scheduled a virtual public meeting that was held on December 15th from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the project, which according to the published meeting notice consists of "the Design and Construction of a new bridge that will provide vehicle travel lanes, dedicated bike lanes with physical raised separation from vehicle traffic, curb & gutter and sidewalk in both directions, northbound and southbound. The project scope includes a new roadway, storm water drainage system, signing and pavement markings, bridge lighting, fencing and landscaping along the project."

At the onset of the meeting, Mayor Cunningham, who virtually attended the meeting along with Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam, Councilmember Patrick Fiore, Councilmember Steve Cody, and Councilmember Marsha Matson, read a statement expressing concern over the timing of the meeting, which seemingly moves the project forward despite the fact that Palmetto Bay, Miami-Dade County and the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) are currently in a litigious process concerning the project. Mayor Cunningham further expressed that Palmetto Bay was made aware of the meeting on December 1st and that the meeting date is happening during a time when folks are busy with the holiday season. This is of great concern to the Village in light of the fact that the bridge project is among the most important issues facing Palmetto Bay right now; if not the most important.

Mayor Cunningham issued a strong statement against the bridge project and against the county's actions so far. "This issue has been created by the county and a very failed government process and dumped in our laps to try to resolve", said Mayor Cunningham. The bridge project, as the Mayor indicated, is expected to aggravate other issues affecting Palmetto Bay residents such as the astounding growth and density in South Dade, the potential 45,000 new units slated for Cutler Bay, flooding due to poor infrastructure, sea level rise and uncontrolled growth, and substandard public transit. "For years, the county has neglected to provide real solutions to big problems in South Dade but has somehow, because of a political campaign promise, decided that one bridge that runs 21 blocks through our Village and dead-ends at a canal will solve the backlog of problems and neglect.", said Mayor Cunningham sternly.

According to County staff, the purpose of the meeting was to gain public input on the project design. To that regard, Mayor Cunningham and many Village residents who took the time to participate in the virtual meeting asked questions about the project, including traffic engineering and traffic studies inquiries, its anticipated cost, design and timeline. According to county staff, the project's design is currently underway and the estimated completion date for construction is Fall 2024. Proposed improvements include:

Below is the Typical Street Section for the Project Presented by Miami-Dade County:

Palmetto Bay residents flooded the lines for the one and a half-hour meeting asking questions about the project scope and cost, with most participants primarily expressing their objection to the project and questioning the justification for the bridge as a means to bring real traffic relief to South Dade. According to the public meeting notice published by the county, the project is intended to "provide connectivity for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians along SW 87th Avenue and to improve traffic network along the SW 87th Avenue corridor within the Village of Palmetto Bay." However, no specific answers were given related to the justification and need for the project, other than stating that the bridge is part of a connectivity network that has been identified in the TPO's long-range transportation plan.

Cost projections for the project have risen from $3.1 million to $3.4 million. Miami-Dade County has set aside funding from road impact fees and appropriated $170,000 in the current fiscal year budget and $3.14 million in next year's budget for a total of $3.31 million for the project. For any information from Miami-Dade County concerning the project, please email DTPWOutreach@miamidade.gov.

The Village of Palmetto Bay continues to be in mediation proceedings with the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and the TPO. Both entities previously approved the bridge project in Palmetto Bay.

The Village has requested a meeting with representatives from both entities, which is the next step in the mediation process. Said meeting is anticipated for February. Any public information regarding the meeting will be provided to our residents through our email distribution, and will be posted on our website and our social media channels linked below.

For a comprehensive overview about the bridge project process thus far, please visit our Bridge Webpage by clicking the blue box below.

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