County Considering New Metromover Systems, Commuter Rail To South Dade

Miami-Dade’s Transportation Planning Organization voted on Thursday to study the possibility of several new mass transit options in the county.

The first resolution authorized a study on adding new People Mover systems similar to Metromover throughout the county.

The consultant running the $120,000 study will be asked to identify the top five feasible areas suitable for a People Mover system, either along or connecting to Miami-Dade’s SMART Program Corridors.

The second resolution called for the county to assess the possibility of purchasing existing rail to be repurposed for mass transit use. Specifically, the resolution mentions the under-utilized CSX tracks.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins told Local10 that the plan is for commuter rail in South Dade to connect to the Intermodal Center at MIA, which would then allow transfers to the Metrorail.

The proposal could also replace plans for bus rapid transit on the east-west corridor, Higgins said.

TPO chair Esteban Bovo said that CSX now appears “highly motivated” to cut a deal with the county for their tracks, the TV station reported.

 

 

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Anonymous
7 months ago

We need a metro mover to the Marlins Stadium, Calle Ocho, Miracle Mile, Riverside, Wynwood and Midtown.

Anonymous
7 months ago

And that’s just the beginning

Not Anonymous
7 months ago

I think that the priority should be the Metro Rail, not the Mover. Both are important, but the Metro Rail is the only one that will take cars off the road in other parts of the county and would help develop other under densified areas of the county.

Anonymous
7 months ago

We don’t need other densified areas in the county, those people will still drive. We need a more robust inner core transit with nearby destinations.

Not Anonymous
7 months ago

Eventually they won’t if the transit system is more extensive, and therefore, convenient.

ANON
7 months ago

We do need more density in other areas, we can’t possibly build for all the demand there is right now if density is only allowed in a small fraction of the area. Connecting transit to those areas is essential for that.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Redevelop riverside and Overtown, and all around the border of the core… this is only way to eliminate traffic. Creating dense areas outside of core just fills up our highways

Anonymous
7 months ago

It’s called TOD. You redevelop strip malls on major intersections into mixed-use development adjacent to a heavy-rail transit station, and it has a ripple effect.

Anonymous
7 months ago

not if the interior blocks dont have the same zoning.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Metro mover is more modern and cool looking and quieter – more movers!

Anonymous
7 months ago

Except it’s also slower, with less capacity. We got new Metrorail trains several years back, and are flushing money down the toilet refurbishing Metromover cars rather than upgrading it for longer cars and trains.

Azarius
7 months ago

I think the idea would be to have Metrorail run through the major routes and metro mover service a route within the first. Example Downtown Brickell has the Metrorail to connect to the other major parts of the county but the Mertomover to transit within the immediate area

Anonymous
7 months ago

And to the downtown strip in Coconut Grove. Parking is hard to find there, but it’s got such a fun village vibe and close to Brickell.

Not Anonymous
7 months ago

I think the overpasses would look out of place there, it would be more suitable to have a tram or light rail along S Miami and Bayshore.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Flyovers would look out of place in Riverside or Wynwood too, and ruin any streetscape potential.

Billy
7 months ago

Above ground is always best in dense areas.

Anon
7 months ago

A surface railroad tracks ruins areas. It makes it hard to cross and causes traffic, about ground is futuristic and doesn’t impact street level at all.

If you’re within a few levels of ground you’re going to experience noise and traffic regardless.

Billy
7 months ago

Light rail causes traffic backup when the trains go through a intersection.

anonymous
7 months ago

if they do anything for Coconut grove t hey can just do a straight shot from the Coconut grove metro station down SW27th ave. Would drop you off right in the middle of the grove

Not Anonymous
7 months ago

True, but there are many areas between Brickell and Downtown Coconut Grove that need light rail just as much, like Vizcaya and Dinner Key.

anonymous
7 months ago

There is already a metrorail stop at Vizcaya. Only reason that area hasnt seen development is because of the NIMBYs trying to stop denser developments

Not Anonymous
7 months ago

There is no easy access to the actual museum, and the stop has no parking, so it is basically useless.

Name*
7 months ago

Parking? The idea of transit is to stay out of your car. I get what you’re saying – but having parking at a transit stop is still putting cars on the road.

anonymous
7 months ago

you take the walking path that goes over I95. Prob less than 10 minute walk and there is a small parking lot next to the station.

Anonymous
7 months ago

I don’t see the need for development near Vizcaya. The area west of Brickell along 8th street has little to no historic value or neighborhood charm with just these old 3 storey apartment buildings. We should focus development in that direction.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Definitely need to redevelop all the warehouses and motel buildings on 8th – looks like a third world, and doesn’t even have the fun art and culture like Wynwood

Anonymous
7 months ago

Vizcaya needs historical rival and upgrades and low rises with trendy boutiques and shopping along the Underline.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Um, Shenandoah and Riverside are probably some of Miami’s most historic neighborhoods that aren’t protected by designation. We need designation, preservation, and transfer of development rights to build more dense in between, redeveloping vacant lots and 1950s onward stuff.

Anon
7 months ago

Those areas look old and rundown. Redevelop it. Save a few of the best buildings for character – it doesn’t all need to look abandoned and unkept.

Anonymous
7 months ago

It’s such a wasted stop. It could be a world attraction but it’s a beautiful historic mansion next to shatty old homes and gas stations. Redevelop vizcaya!

Common Sense Bro
7 months ago

The very “shattiest” houses near Vizcaya start at $2 million, what are you on?

Anon
7 months ago

The land alone carries them.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Don’t hold your breath. All they do is studies, and then, studies of the studies.

Anon
7 months ago

Fire them, and vote them out. We need a list of the most wasteful commissioners in the county.

Anon
7 months ago

Can they ban those loud mufflers? It’s an embarrassment and public health issue. We all die a little inside when we heard them, every 10 min on the minute.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Yeah!! Someone do something. The mufflers are driving everyone insane, and people cite to them as the sole reason they can’t live in Miami.

wanderer34
7 months ago

I believe extending the Metrorail via Dolphin Expwy to Doral and University Park would be the best option. Just read the Local 10 article, and it’s nice that they’re getting rid of the BRT option for Dolphin Expwy and considering other modes of transportation.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Those suburbs suck. They aren’t even in Miami. Waste of resources

Anonymous
7 months ago

Yet that’s where a lot of traffic is coming from to and out “Miami.”

wanderer34
7 months ago

Dude! There are metros in the world that go to the suburbs. Just ask chicago, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto, SF, & LA where their metros go to from their downtowns!

Anon
7 months ago

It’s actually shocking that this whole city is connected by a track network that is ready to be rehabbed and brought into service meanwhile our politicians have been selling us billion dollar highways for decades

Paul
7 months ago

Stop studies and… BUILD IT! We are all tired of waiting. Why everything take so long in Florida? No more chats. Action now!

Anonymous
7 months ago

Raise the rails above ground. Surface rails block neighborhood growth. Look at the Underline – keep donating to Neighbors of Underline and enhancing public parks and pedestrian experiences.

EJS
7 months ago

Wow! The studies just keep coming. Put away any thought of shovels hitting the ground for a peoplemover extension to Midtown, or finishing the Brickell leg. Let’s instead fund more studies. I can’t imagine there’s much left to study seeing as Miami has already funded so many with regard to transit.

anonymous
7 months ago

If you look at a map of Miami Dade county is in incredible to see how much rail is actually available and being underutilized. Ther is already a rail in place that runs along the 836 from the airport all the way out to doral.

Metromover Enjoyer
7 months ago

Although it would be cool to have metromovers all throughout the county, if they’re disconnected from each other, it would just be infeasible.

An expansion of the current metromover to midtown, design district, and beyond (possibly miami shores, little Haiti, Barry U, el portal, and north miami all along ne 2nd ave), as well as to the east and south would be an amazing automated system with great ridership potential! The future is metromover if we can get it right

Azarius
7 months ago

7th Ave is the most underutilized place for metroRail! It’s close to 95 where commuters can park and ride. Theres already mostly retail with majors opportunities to develop and improve housing even add offices and this corridor could boom like Biscayne Boulevard

Adrian Diaz
7 months ago

A metromover from FIU to Dolphin Mall, International Mall, and Downtown Doral would be cool or another one from Dadeland North to Dadeland Mall and Baptist Hospital.

Cover the Podiums
7 months ago

We need new MetroRail lines if we really want to see an ease in traffic congestion. Especially in Little havana as well as towards north of downtown. The only problem is that nobody wants the big concrete flyovers in front their building

Anonymous
7 months ago

The concrete flyovers are beautiful. They create parks and public space and make the fort look modern.if you don’t like it move to a suburb

Anonymous
7 months ago

Also attract graffiti and vagrancy… Sort of hard to create parks and public space when along the median of a road, which is likely where they’ll be because eminent domain is impossible.

Anon
7 months ago

Then add security, lighting and make them graffiti proof / design them with some murals from the start landscape around them so people get stuck with thorny cactus if they get close

Brickell
7 months ago

We need to make some streets in Brickell – Pedestrian only and divert traffic. We want big blocks of open space for pedestrians. This can be integrated into new development plans.

Joey
7 months ago

It is concerning to see how these new studies on mass transit options in Miami-Dade County could potentially feed corruption within the local government. Despite the potential benefits of improving transportation infrastructure, there are multiple ways in which these studies could be exploited for personal or political gain.

Firstly, the allocation of the $120,000 budget for the study on adding new People Mover systems raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the bidding process. It is crucial to ensure that the consultant hired to conduct the study has no conflicts of interest and is selected through a fair and open bidding process. Otherwise, there is a risk that the funds could be funneled towards a preferred company, feeding corrupt practices.

Secondly, the potential purchase of existing rail for mass transit use, particularly the under-utilized CSX tracks, creates opportunities for collusion and backroom deals. It is essential to have proper oversight and due diligence to prevent undue influence on the transaction. If CSX is indeed “highly motivated” to cut a deal with the county for their tracks, it is crucial to ensure that the negotiation process is transparent and that the terms of the deal are fair and beneficial for the public.

Lastly, the potential replacement of plans for bus rapid transit on the east-west corridor could result in unnecessary expenses and project delays. It is important to scrutinize the reasons behind this change and to determine whether the interests of specific individuals or groups are being favored over the broader public interest.

In conclusion, while these studies on mass transit options in Miami-Dade County may have the potential to improve transportation infrastructure, it is essential to remain vigilant against possible corruption. Transparency, accountability, and public engagement are key to ensuring that these projects serve the best interests of the county’s residents.

Azarius
7 months ago

seriously asking was this generated by chatgpt or and other A.i

Common Sense Bro
7 months ago

It appears it was generated by some guy with some critical thinking skills, something sorely lacking by many posters here.

Azarius
7 months ago

Nail they literately wrote a 5 paragraph essay in the comments

Porp
7 months ago

I thought the same thing

Melo is sigma and Chad
7 months ago

They tracks running into Kendall, those need to be serviced by trirail

Anonymous
7 months ago

Tracks are ugly and waste. They divid and segregate neighborhoods. They are loud and old fashion. Put up more modern metro movers above ground!

Anonymous
7 months ago

Did you lose a foot trying crossing the FEC, trying to outrun a Brightline train or something?

calivalle
7 months ago

Really need those tracks down Kendall all the way to Krome

wanderer34
7 months ago

Having a South Dade commuter rail extension from MIC to as far away as Homestead is sorely needed! The fact that communities such as parts of western Miami, Kendall, all the way into Homestead can be served by a locomotive pulling up to thousands of commuters every day to MIC for access to MIA or to other modes such as Tri-Rail, Amtrak, and the Metrorail is a vast improvement from the busway from Dadeland into Homestead. Let’s hope this study turns into a real project and that the South Dade commuter rail proposal becomes a reality ASAP!

Kitty W
7 months ago

Smahhht. But what’s the purpose of the SMART plan vis-a-vis this?

Anonymous
7 months ago

Metromover is the putt-putt mini golf of transit, while Metrorail is the Pebble Beach.

Common Sense Bro
7 months ago

yeah, but it’s free, man!

Mitch
7 months ago

In general, the idea of them at least talking about expanding “any” of the mass transit system in the county is refreshing, we all know that getting anything done these days is almost impossible.

I hope someone really look into buying those CSX tracks and maybe expanding TRI Rail down those lines both east to Dolphin mall and also down south to Miami Metro Zoo, lines are already there for those two segments, and connecting all the communities along those corridors with metro rail and the airport would be great to move cars out of the roads specially from west and south west Miami.

Howard Roark
7 months ago

All great suggestions. Metrorail (MR) 7th Avenue from downtown to Golden Glades is brilliant. Do it for 27th Avenue too (grove station to hard rock stadium). MR must go south on US1 to Homestead (no bus lines!) and west along 8th street from brickell to FIU. Metromover (MM) must be expanded throughout Brickell, Downtown, Midtown and Design District. MM must also loop around Little Havana to Marlins Park (but the real solution here is to have an uninterrupted brightly lighted and landscaped wide sidewalk from downtown to the stadium).

Yet Another Anonymous
7 months ago

What about Miami Beach? MM or MR? and looping over both causeways or just a stop in SoBe?

Anonymous
7 months ago

MM

Anonymous
7 months ago

MR, extending up to Bal Harbour.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Metromover is slow and low capacity, and any expansions, especially to South Beach, aren’t worth it. We have an east-west platform at government Center Station for Metrorail contemplated over 40 years ago specifically for such expansion.

Tucker
7 months ago

Tri-Rail from Intermodal Center on CSX to to Dolphin Mall and SW 137th.

Azarius
7 months ago

Greatest underdeveloped area but now they are building up Ludlum trail Great place to build affordable and workforce housing near transit

Lechozo
7 months ago

Different projects.
Ludlam trail is on former FEC tracks, a straight line from the airport to Dadeland. Homestead spur of CSX tracks runs a few blocks to the west of FEC tracks.

Deport Tucker
7 months ago

You’re fired Tucker. You lie and insight hate.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Okay, Don Lemonhead.

Anonymous
7 months ago

How about extending Metrorail to Miami Beach, Little Havana, etc. and utilizing existing rail for a new Tri-Rail line from Hialeah Market into the western suburbs instead of reinventing the wheel?

Tom
7 months ago

It’s about damn time

MiamiRob
7 months ago

Enough of this BS and implement the Transit Plans we VOTED for back in 2002 when you asked us to TAX ourselves a half penny for Transit and only gave us Metro Rail to the Airport. Now here you are 21 years later with more watered down Rail transit plans. Extend Metro Rail all the way down t Florida City as promised since you already own the Right of way. We are tired of paying for ” Studies” that wind up in the Garbage !

Robb
7 months ago

What’s happening with the N Dade corridor. To Hardrock stadium. The people in the NDade Miami Gardens also need transportation. They are the ones who use public Transport the most.
Come on People .

Jeremey Howlett
7 months ago

The metromover system needs to go. The system Is basically a driverless electric bus on an elevated platform, and The amount of infrastructure it requires is just too much, and it’s ugly. All those elevated tracks and wires running everywhere is an eyesore and it looks like a mess.Metro rail is the way to go, start adding more lines.

Fed up
7 months ago

Every couple years the commissioners tout a new study on transit options. Guess it’s easier than actually building anything.

Peter Tapia
7 months ago

Always the same bs and never any results your creating a vertical city and brings thousands of cars yet do nothing but dumb studies since 1996 im so over it ! Imagine nyc without subways it wouldnt exist…

Steven E
7 months ago

Longest commutes that need help are from Homestead & So Dade to Metrorail, W Kendall to Metrorail, NW Dade & SW Broward to Metrorail to ease auto congestion along the turnpike, I-75, 826, 874, 836, 878 corridors & EW 8th St, Coral Way, Bird Rd, Killian Pkwy & SW 152nd St at the least.

Johnny
7 months ago

Metro rail. Metro rail. Bring it to the beach so you can have a fast connection to the airport.

Chad
7 months ago

Metromover will become to Miami what the subway is to NYC, but it’ll be better because you won’t be stuck in crowded underground stations.

What a bunch of stupid ideas you all got
7 months ago

A Metromover line should be run betwixt the legs of all of your moms!

Ride the Tiger
7 months ago

Deport yourself Sleepy Joe Carollo. Everyone in Miami hates traffic and they hate YOU.

Anonymous
7 months ago

Joe is ruining his district by keeping it suppressed and undeveloped!

Anonymous
7 months ago

Beautify Joes district ASAP! He’s sending everyone fruit trees as some gimmick stunt sweepstake when he should be landscaping and lighting all the public roads and giving it a major facelift.