The Florida Department of Transportation is proposing a new viaduct (fancy word for elevated roadway) along NW 67th Avenue (aka Ludlam Road). This will be similar to the elevated roadway along NW 25th Street.
The Mayor of Miami Springs (Maria Mitchell) and the Mayor of the Village of Virginia Gardens (Spencer Deno) have voiced their concerns about this project and have urged residents to attend the meeting being held this Wednesday, July 19, at 6pm at the Miami Springs Holiday inn located at 1111 South Royal Poinciana Boulevard.
For the record, we don’t fully trust the FDOT. (They’re the ones who botched traffic on the Palmetto with the addition of the Express Lanes that made local access intolerable.)
The FDOT has previously proposed an elevated highway that would connect State Road 112 to the Palmetto. This would kill the NW 36th Street corridor making it less inviting for tourists, businesses, and residents and more inviting for a homeless camp under the highway. (Read more about the 36 Street Elevated Expressway Proposal here.)
We share some of the concerns expressed by Mayor Spencer Deno and Mayor Maria Mitchell. However, I recommend we keep an open mind and listen to the various options the FDOT wants to propose. If the proposals don’t impact NW 36th Street directly or begins the process of setting up an elevated expressway on NW 36th Street, then I think most people would be okay with it. However, if it sets up a structure that would create an elevated highway along NW 36th Street, then I think many will have reservations.
We’ll share the findings and proposals from the meeting this week, but we still encourage concerned residents to attend the meeting. Mayor Deno and Mayor Mitchell also encourage you to attend the meeting.
MESSAGE FROM VG MAYOR SPENCER DENO:
Dear Residents, Business Owners, and Surrounding Community:
Re: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) PUBLIC MEETING NOTIFICATION for the NW 67th Avenue Corridor Improvements Study to be held on July 19, 2023, at 6p.m.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will host a public meeting for the NW 67th Avenue Corridor Improvements Study. The NW 67th Avenue corridor is approximately 0.81 miles long; and is adjacent to the Village of Virginia Gardens and the Western section of the Miami International Airport (MIA) in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
The FDOT is proposing a viaduct going through the NW 67th Avenue Corridor. The Village of Virginia Gardens is NOT in favor of this project as it will increase freight volume to and from MIA cargo and to the 826 Palmetto Expressway. Most importantly, increased air pollution from engine emissions and noise pollution will affect our residents, businesses and the children and families (including our elderly) that use our green spaces in our parks and pathways.
The public meeting will provide the community with the opportunity to be directly engaged in the planning and development process of the study. The meeting will consist of a formal presentation followed by an open discussion. Staff will be available to answer questions as time permits, in the order received. If your question is not responded to during the event, a response will be provided in writing after the meeting.
I urgently request that our residents, business owners and surrounding community attend the meeting on July 19, 2023, and let us unite and voice our concerns and opinions.
Upcoming Meeting:
A Hybrid Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place both in-person and virtually.
To Attend In-Person:
Holiday Inn Hotel
1111 S. Royal Poinciana Boulevard
Miami Springs, FL 33166
To Attend Virtually:
Please register using the following link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3094850785963155800.
Or by Telephone by dialing 1 (866) 901-6455, Access Code: 611-003-310.
If you wish to be added to the study’s mailing list, please contact Community Outreach Specialist Yaisel Gonzalez at 305-640-8122/yaisel@iscprgroup.com.
If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Project Manager Daniel Lameck at 305-470-5102/Daniel.Lameck@dot.state.fl.us.
Persons who need special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or who need translation services (free of charge), should contact Tish Burgher at (305) 470-5277 or in writing at FDOT, 1000 NW 111 Avenue, Miami, FL 33172 or by email at: Tish.Burgher@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the workshops.
Respectfully,
Fred “Spencer” Deno IV, Mayor
Village of Virginia Gardens
Message from Miami Springs Mayor Maria Mitchell:
MEETING DETAILS:
FDOT NW 67 AVE MEETING
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is evaluating the transportation conditions along this corridor and adjacent streets to address existing and future mobility, operational, social, economic, safety, and freight intermodal needs along the study area.
Project Limits: The NW 67 Avenue Corridor is approximately 0.81 miles long; and is adjacent to the Village of Virginia Gardens and the western section of the Miami International Airport (MIA) in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
About the Study: This corridor is an economically vital industrial and trade area as it provides connectivity for passengers and cargo to the National Highway Freight Network, the Palmetto Expressway, and the Miami International Airport. This analysis will identify congestion management, safety mitigation strategies, multimodal and accessible transportation options, and innovative technology to improve overall quality of life.
Project Needs: Over the past decade, the movement of goods and services through freight transportation has become an essential part of life and is fundamental to our national, regional, and local economies. The ever-growing population and tourism have created an increase in overall demand on freight mobility. However, the limited capacity of the transportation network requires a proactive system to accommodate more people than ever before.
Study Objectives:
- Evaluate existing transportation conditions along the corridor and identify locations of recurring congestion, operational deficiencies, safety issues, and multimodal needs.
- Conduct public and intergovernmental coordination, with a focus on decision makers and primary stakeholders.
- Forecast future needs along the corridor based on existing conditions.
- Develop and evaluate alternative improvements to address existing and future needs.
- Recommend and prioritize the most appropriate improvements based on a practical implementation strategy.
- Advance into subsequent phases in the transportation delivery process.
Public Involvement:
FDOT encourages the public to get involved by providing comments, questions, and suggestions to the NW 67 Avenue Corridor Improvements Team.
There will be several public meetings and workshops to share progress updates, information collected and analyzed, as well as alternatives developed for the study area. The meetings will allow the public to ask questions and share comments on the study. Presentations, and one-on-one meetings will also be held for interested residents, business owners, and stakeholders along the corridor.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, or family status.
Previous Meetings:
- A Virtual Project Advisory Team (PAT) Meeting was held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. You can find the PowerPoint presentation shared at this meeting under the Project Resources section, under Documents and Publications.
Upcoming Meetings:
- A Hybrid Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place both in-person and virtually.
To Attend In-Person:
Holiday Inn Hotel
1111 S. Royal Poinciana Boulevard
Miami Springs, FL 33166
To Attend Virtually:
Please register using the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3094850785963155800. You can join via phone by dialing 1 (866) 901-6455, Access Code:611-003-310.
If you wish to be added to the study’s mailing list, please contact Community Outreach Specialist, Yaisel Gonzalez, at yaisel@iscprgroup.com.
