M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Mayor Tim Meerbott
Date: May 15, 2019
Re: Urging Miami-Dade County Transportation and Public Works Department
to Complete the North and South Roadway Grid Analysis on SW 77 Avenue,
SW 87 Avenue, and SW 97 Avenue for Roadway(s) Connectivity.
REQUEST
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, URGING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE THE NORTH AND SOUTH ROADWAY GRID ANALYSIS ON SW 77 AVENUE, SW 87 AVENUE, AND SW 97 AVENUE FOR ROADWAY CONNECTIVITY; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
On December 5, 2018, I released an Open Letter to the Residents of the Town of Cutler Bay (the “Town”) expressing the evolution of Miami-Dade County and one of the most pressing issues the Town faces: traffic.
In addition, the Town’s adopted 2014-19 Strategic Master Plan (via Resolution No. 14-71) Strategic Goal 6.2 states the following:
“Optimize the smooth flow of traffic through the Town by minimizing traffic congestion and maximizing the capacity of our local roadways.”
Several thousand residents travel northbound during peak AM travel times to their respective place of employment. The same can be said for the PM peak travel times, where residents travel southbound to their homes. We have all experienced the tremendous traffic backup during both the AM and PM peak travel times.
Furthermore, it is my opinion that the daily traffic congestions during both AM and PM peak travel times creates/adds precious minutes for our Emergency First Responders (fire/rescue, police, and ambulance services). The traffic congestion reduces an emergency responders’ effectiveness; threatening public safety and placing people at risk due to the lack of connectivity.
Currently there are only three (3) major roadways which are utilized daily: the Florida Turnpike, US 1, and Old Cutler Road. These roads are at near capacity, and many residents utilize SW 77 Avenue, SW 87 Avenue, and SW 97 Avenue, to avoid the daily gridlock. Unfortunately, these Avenues are not connected throughout, causing drivers to cut-though and bottleneck in smaller residential neighborhoods in both the Village of Palmetto Bay and the Village of Pinecrest.
In December 2016, the Transportation Planning Organization (formerly the “MPO”) commissioned a Study entitled “Evaluation of Multimodal Mobility Options in the South Miami-Dade Area.” The study/models found that by opening SW 77 Avenue, SW 87 Avenue, and SW 97 Avenue, travel times for commuters will be decreased in both the AM and PM peak hours.
I realize that in 2018, the TPO denied requests to construct a bridge on SW 87 Avenue to improve connectivity. I believe that decision was made with the hope that rapid transit in the form of rail would provide alternative travel solutions. As this does not appear to be imminent, alternative solutions need to be implemented. The proposed Town Resolution simply urges the M-DCTPWD to complete the north and south roadway grid analysis on SW 77 Avenue, SW 87 Avenue, and SW 97 Avenue for roadway(s) connectivity.
Cutler Bay is an excellent place to live and play. Unfortunately, most of our residents and neighbors must travel north to work. With our current roadways reaching capacity, and limited opportunity to expand the roadways, we must explore all options available to relieve traffic congestion in our community.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the attached Resolution, urging the Miami-Dade County Transportation and Public Works Department to revisit the Report, which recommended north/south connectivity of major roadway grids to include SW 77 Avenue, SW 87 Avenue, and SW 97 Avenue, and complete the north and south roadway grid analysis for roadway connectivity of these roads.