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Front Page » Top Stories » County puts Baylink on track for 2029 Miami Beach runs

County puts Baylink on track for 2029 Miami Beach runs

Written by on February 7, 2023
  • www.miamitodayepaper.com
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County puts Baylink on track for 2029 Miami Beach runs

A 30-year, $1 billion Baylink plan to connect downtown Miami to Miami Beach by extending Metromover has replaced a $1.3 billion monorail. Now county officials are seeking Miami Beach support to move forward in a funding vote.
The plan would extend Metromover to the Beach with “a seamless connection with a one-seat ride” from Government Center station and a connection to the Omni Metrobus terminal. The county then would start charging $2.25 to ride Metromover, which now is free.
Construction is to run from 2025 to 2029, Beach commissioners were told last week.
“When we got the unsolicited proposal for the monorail, it was $400 million, which in transit-speak is inexpensive. It was worth looking at it to see if we could save over a billion dollars in taxpayer money,” said Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins. “It ended up not being the case. The project, over a 30-year proforma, would have cost taxpayers $2 billion more than expanding our Metromover system to Miami Beach.”
The Metromover project is expected to have a capital cost of $1 billion, with 75% of funds from the county and 25% from the state.
“We’re at a position now where we’re transitioning to a programmatic implementation approach,” said Eulois Cleckley, director of the county Department of Transportation and Public Works.
Baylink, one of six rapid transit corridors in the People’s Transportation Plan, would run at the south side of MacArthur Causeway, extending Metromover from Museum Park Station toward Miami Beach at Fifth Street.
Baylink would work like the Omni Loop, the Inner Loop or the Brickell Loop of the Metromover system, creating a one-seat ride from downtown to the Beach, “eliminating the need for transfer and additional mainland stations, in contrast with how the monorail model was,” said Mr. Cleckley.
The county is coordinating with state to finish the link’s Project Development and Environmental Study, which the Federal Transit Administration requires.
“We’re also conducting upgrades to our existing Metromover system,” Mr. Cleckley said. “We have a $150 million project – the Metromover Wayside Improvement project – upgrading all of our switches, our controls system to create improved reliability, as well as other operational upgrades.”
The next steps are to request proposals (RFPs) “in the next few months,” continue to work on the environmental study, get approvals and permits from the Coast Guard, such as a bridge permit, and continue to engage with the community, he said.
Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez asked county officials to involve the city in the RFP process.
Baylink would save commuters about 15 minutes, Ms. Higgins said. “That’s a real, meaningful change to low-income workers. And we believe we can get this built in the next five years.”
Miami Beach Commissioner David Richardson said he hopes county transit would extend farther north than Fifth Street. “Our biggest employers are Mount Sinai [Medical Center] and Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel, and those are at different corridors.”
Commissioner Higgins said that the county will continue to work with Miami Beach for options to fund more transportation. “The county has $30 million in the plan to look at what, if any, changes need to be made in Washington Avenue to accelerate [transit efficiency],” she said, “whether it is trolleys, buses, transit signal prioritization, or dedicated bus lanes.”

7 Responses to County puts Baylink on track for 2029 Miami Beach runs

  1. William Martin

    February 9, 2023 at 2:24 pm

    Metromover will now cost $2.25 for the whole system or for the line going from the Government Center to Miami Beach?

  2. Robert Lansburgh

    February 10, 2023 at 3:49 am

    Now that the County is finally visiting the areas along the route, there is tremendous opposition. The project makes no sense. One may google “light rail failure” and see how dismal other systems are performing. Ottawa, Phoenix, Miami, Jacksonville, the list is long. Lofty projections are never achieved. Taxpayers left with huge expenses. The rail mafia wants to eat. Lobbyist and their politic puppets plug what is an obvious boondoggle.

    http://www.Facebook.com/southbeachrail

    • Adri

      February 14, 2023 at 10:02 am

      Mr. Robert,

      Unfortunately you let your personal beliefs misinform you. The Miami Metromover is one of the most successful downtown circulators in the United States. Pre-Covid it was transporting some 30,000 people per day. Its expansion to a dense and popular neighborhood would provide a tremendous opportunity to residents and visitors alike and can do much to relieve strain on the MacArthur Causeway. Miami’s road system is under increasing strain and is essentially in total collapse, especially along the beach. Something is finally being done to address it.

  3. Pam

    February 10, 2023 at 8:38 pm

    Why does anyone want to go to Fifth Street? Why isn’t this farther north? If the employers are farther north. Waste of money!

    • Skillman

      February 11, 2023 at 1:12 pm

      Agree! Why not connect midtown, design district and MB hospital and convention Center with the new hotel? That would really make a positive impact on traffic and help tax payers. This is a unique opportunity, lets make the best of it!

      • Adri

        February 14, 2023 at 10:03 am

        The plan also includes extending it to Midtown and potentially up to the Convention Center. This is the most crucial piece right now.

  4. Christopher Lucy

    March 6, 2023 at 10:46 am

    As presented the bay link plan will not solve Miami Beachs transport issues irregardless of the cost..and funding sources .. I have not found anyone who lives or Works in Miami who will take Metro mover and give up their automobile I’m a person who does not own an automobile and I get around without one but I think I’m a distinct minority and the master traffic plan for Miami Beach it was 8% of the population.. most people commuting here or living here would choose not to use it in my opinion as they refuse to use any public transportation unless they must the old the sick the poor Etc and tourists.. better to improve the buses..

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