Public Works Making Progress on PTP Projects

Since December 2005, the Miami-Dade County Public Works Department has been working to implement its new, state-of-the-art Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS).  Funding for this new ATMS is being provided in part by $49 million from the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) – the half-penny transportation surtax overwhelmingly approved by voters in November 2002.  Once fully implemented, the system will synchronize all 2,600 traffic signals in the County, increase the number of vehicles able to pass through the County’s major roadways, and reduce side-street delays. Through 2008, PWD has upgraded more than 50% of the County's 2,600 traffic signals onto the ATMS. Traffic signal synchronization is just one of many projects to improve traffic flow and roadway conditions that are being funded by the half-penny surtax for transportation.

Along with mass transit improvements, the PTP provides for $504 million in improvements to roads and bridges to be completed by 2013, including new roadways, roadway widening, street resurfacing, drainage upgrades, and other neighborhood improvements throughout the County.  The Public Works Department has worked diligently and efficiently to deliver on the promises made to voters in 2002 and complete projects within budget and schedule.

To date, 16 of the major roadway projects listed in the PTP have been completed with 10 more under construction; among the projects completed are the Miami Gardens Drive Connector from US-1 to William Lehman Causeway, new access to Country Walk, Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove which featured various roadway and drainage improvements from SW 37th Avenue to SW 32nd Avenue, SW 97th Avenue from SW 40th Street to SW 72nd Street, South Miami Avenue from 15th Road to 25th Road and NW 62nd Avenue, including widening of the road from two to four lanes between NW 105th Avenue and NW 138th Avenue.

Additionally, PWD has completed the implementation of over 540 neighborhood improvement projects that include the following: roadway resurfacing, ADA sidewalk accessibility, drainage, traffic signals, traffic calmings, arterial street lighting, illuminated street-name signs, and school-flashing signals.  These improvements have enhanced safety and mobility throughout Miami-Dade County and have improved the quality of life within our neighborhoods.

Thanks to the PTP, the Department is also replacing faded street signs throughout the County at a rate of about 70 intersections a week, with more than 25,000 replaced so far. With a master schedule in place and staff working at a quick pace, the Department should be able to implement all of these countywide improvements sooner than the 10-year proposed schedule.

Another PTP program is making it easier for motorists to read street signs. Almost 4,000 new illuminated street- name signs have been installed at more than 975 intersections countywide. The Public Works Department is working with the Florida Department of Transportation and several municipalities to implement a countywide program to install LED signs at major intersections over the next two years.

School safety is another PTP goal. The half-penny surtax is funding the installation of more than one hundred new flashing signals in school zones to let drivers know they have to slow down.  The PTP is also funding the Safe Routes to School improvements in a cooperative effort by the Department, Miami-Dade Public Schools and the Florida Department of Transportation to improve safe access for children to walk or bike to school.

Improving transportation and making it better for people to travel throughout the County is one of the major goals of the PTP.  As such, a number of roadway projects are planned that will facilitate the movement of traffic and people over the next 5 years, including the construction of NW 87th Avenue between NW 154th Street and Miami Gardens Drive, the construction and improvement of NW 74th Street between the Florida Turnpike and the Palmetto Expressway, the construction of SW 137th Avenue from the Florida Turnpike to SW 184th Street, and the construction of SW 157th Avenue between SW 112th Street and SW 136th Street, as well as the widening of SW 157th Avenue from 2 lanes to 4 lanes between SW 152nd Street and SW 184th Street.  

Residents can look forward to many more improvements over the next several years that will provide for a more pleasant driving experience while reducing traffic delays.

For more information, please contact (305) 375-2960.