Josiel Ferrer-Diaz: Steers expansion of county’s dedicated network of transit

Josiel Ferrer-Diaz has been serving since late last year as interim director and CEO of the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), which develops, coordinates, and operates the county’s transportation networks and infrastructure. 

His goal is to improve safe and efficient mobility and create a more resilient and sustainable community for residents, businesses, and visitors.

A longtime Miami-Dade resident and transit user, Mr. Ferrer-Diaz joined the county family from the City of Miami Beach and previously served as DTPW’s deputy director and chief project delivery officer. He also serves as the county engineer and is responsible for the delivery of DTPW’s $6.4 billion capital program, among other priorities. He has more than 15 years of experience in planning, design, construction administration, budgeting, and program delivery of transportation infrastructure, transit, intelligent transportation systems, and other infrastructure programs. 

A graduate of Florida International University with a degree in civil engineering, Mr. Ferrer-Diaz said ever since he can remember, he always has been researching trains, bridges, and tunnels. 

“When I found out that transportation engineering could be a career, I knew it was what I wanted to do. As my career has advanced, I have become a true believer in multi-modal transportation and the ability for different modes to interact,” he said. “Following this vision, I was able to push policy leading to the formal adoption of a new modal priority designating pedestrians, bikes, and transit above single-occupant vehicles in Miami Beach.”

One of the first projects he was tasked with was the management of the first transportation master plan in Miami Beach in 15 years. This effort resulted in the adoption of a project bank including over 100 multi-modal projects and new policies pushing the multi-modal vision. 

His second large project was the deployment of a pilot arterial management program to reduce congestion on major corridors. The deployment and management of the program have resulted in a travel time reduction of 22% along arterial roads. The success of the pilot arterial management program led to a project consisting of managing the planning, design, and implementation of an ITS and parking management system in the City of Miami Beach. 

“I have been successful in managing the completion of the concept of operations, securing $18 million for capital costs,” he said, “and executing a 10-year, $32 million contract for design, building, operations, and maintenance for the project.” 

Over the past seven years, Mr. Ferrer-Diaz said, he has also become very interested in the design and implementation of bicycle facilities. 

“While working the other major projects, I managed the deployment of eight miles of new green bike lanes,” he added. “In addition, I managed the implementation of the first protected bicycle lane in the county, and I am currently designing the first bicycle box in the county. Even on my time off, I like to find time to research new ideas in transportation and seek opportunities within my area to improve.”

Mr. Ferrer-Diaz spoke with Miami Today reporter Abraham Galvan. 

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