Commissioner Cava answering a Residents questions regarding bridging

Received tonight from Commissioner Cava answering a Residents questions regarding bridging.

"Thank you for your thoughtful questions and diligence in pursuing the facts. I completely agree and also experience daily that traffic has become one of the key factors in our quality of life and is intolerable at current levels. I thank you as well for allowing me the opportunity to respond. I will not attempt to answer the questions best put to Palmetto Bay officials, but I will try to address other concerns.

Frank Guyamier, Deputy Director of Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), did several times say "when" the bridge is built. I think he misspoke. Final approval for construction of the bridge would come from the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). I serve on that board as I mentioned during the call. While my opinion will be important to the deliberation, I will be just one vote among many. Furthermore, it is not clear to me if the funds are already identified for bridge construction or if they would still need to be allocated from federal, state or local dollars, or some combination.

As to how long it would take to design and build once approval and funding is obtained, I defer to Frank to answer that question.

I did say that I learned during my briefing from DTPW yesterday, that there had been no analysis done of what would happen to northbound traffic once it reaches 141 Street (or 144 Street as the major thoroughfare). This, I believe, was a significant missing component of the data. The 4.5 minutes estimated to be saved during a commute with the addition of the bridge, might be significantly reduced at the other end of Palmetto Bay when traffic from 87th Avenue must return to one of the other overcrowded arteries. Based upon that question and my overall concerns, I requested that DTPW delay submission of the item to the TPO for approval, which had previously been scheduled for the June meeting. DTPW agreed to the delay, as you heard on the call.

Another complicating factor that I did not mention, is that traffic must be studied during the school year to get an accurate picture. With only three weeks remaining for school, I am unsure if the necessary studies can be done until school resumes in the fall.

I wish to reiterate that my major concern has been the process for making the decision about the 87th Avenue bridge. I was unaware, as were Palmetto Bay officials, that this recommendation was forthcoming from DTPW. We first learned of it last Thursday on Facebook, after it was presented to the Citizen Transportation Advisory Board (CTAC), a committee of the TPO. I understand that construction of the bridge was not recommended by CTAC, and that no specific data as to the benefit of the bridge was presented. While the TPO process might have been formally followed, the spirit of public input was not. Leaving out the residents and the County Commissioner of the District were both indications that input was not being sought on this important issue to the quality of life of thousands of residents.

At this point I am awaiting more data and analysis on the bridge and any other features being considered. Once obtained, I will be working with the municipalities and DTPW to schedule a public forum with area residents to review the data and provide input. I will be especially mindful of the recommendations of the municipalities affected. It is my expectation and understanding that local elected officials will want to be sure to make decisions based upon resident input and the overall best interests of the residents, balancing any reduced travel time with other neighborhood concerns.

Please feel free to continue to reach out to us. Maria Levrant, Chief of Constituent Services, is copied here, and will be our lead.

Yours for traffic relief and solutions,"

Daniella