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RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT) TO CANCEL OR CEASE DEVELOPMENT OF FDOT�S FINANCIAL PROJECT IDENTIFICATION (FPID) NO. 439545-2, WHICH IS A PROPOSED PROJECT TO WIDEN THE HOMESTEAD EXTENSION OF FLORIDA�S TURNPIKE FROM CAMPBELL DRIVE TO SOUTH OF PALM DRIVE ON U.S. 1 AND TO CONSTRUCT A 20-FOOT ELEVATED FLY-OVER ABOVE THE INTERSECTION OF U.S. 1 AND PALM DRIVE

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WHEREAS, Florida Department of Transportation�s (FDOT�s) Financial Project Identification (FPID) No. 439545-2 is a proposed project to widen the Homestead Extension of Florida�s Turnpike (the �HEFT�) from Campbell Drive to south of Palm Drive on the U.S. 1 and to construct a 20-foot elevated fly-over above the intersection of U.S. 1 and Palm Drive (the �Project�); and
WHEREAS, if the Project is constructed as currently proposed, the tolled fly-over will run down the center of U.S. 1, above Palm Drive, where it would continue south of Palm Drive for approximately 1,800 feet before returning to ground level; and
WHEREAS, as such, the proposed fly-over will effectively bypass Palm Drive, which could have a significant negative economic impact on the area�s residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, as required by various state and federal statutes, FDOT�s Project engineers held a virtual public hearing in relation to the Project, at which more than 120 people, including elected and appointed officials, and residents and business owners representing a cross-section of interests, were in attendance; and
WHEREAS, during the public comments phase of the hearing, many attendees spoke and expressed a collective, stern opposition to the Project; and
WHEREAS, included among the views expressed was an opposition to the negative effects the proposed fly-over across Palm Drive could have on the economic livelihood of the residents and businesses in the southern portions of the County; and
WHEREAS, because the proposed Project could negatively impact the livelihood of many residents in the southern portions of the County, this Board wishes to urge the Florida Legislature to enact legislation requiring FDOT to cancel or cease development of the Project,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to cancel or cease development of FDOT�s Financial Project Identification (FPID) No. 439545-2, which is a proposed project to widen the Homestead Extension of Florida�s Turnpike from Campbell Drive to south of Palm Drive on U.S. 1 and to construct a 20-foot elevated fly-over above the intersection of U.S. 1 and Palm Drive.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, the District 6 Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Executive Director of Florida�s Turnpike Enterprise.


Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the actions described in section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2021 State Legislative Package to include this item and to include this item in the 2022 State Legislative package when its presented to the Board.