Public Works

Miami-Dade County Public Works Department and the People's Transportation Plan

Public Works Making Progress on PTP Projects

The People’s Transportation Plan (PTP), the half-penny transportation surtax overwhelmingly approved by Miami-Dade County Voters in November 2002, included $476 million in Public Works Department (PWD) projects.   The breakdown of the PTP funds provided to PWD for Major Highway and Road Improvements was $309 million and for Neighborhood Improvements was $167 million.  To date, approximately $249 million have been expended toward the implementation of the PTP program. These projects are outlined in Exhibit 1 of the PTP, with specific projects listed under the Board Requested 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).   Once fully implemented, the system will synchronize all 2,700 traffic signals in the County, provide real time video surveillance of signalized intersections, allows Traffic Control Center to adjust signal timing in order to increase the number of vehicles able to pass through the County’s major roadways, and reduce side-street delays.  Through 2010, Phase II of the project is substantially complete; PWD has upgraded and integrated more than 98% of the County’s 2700 Traffic Signals onto the ATMS.  PWD is currently finalizing the scope of Phase III, which is to provide improved communications including wireless communication and video capabilities, for implementation beginning next year.   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.

Since the implementation of the PTP program, PWD has been aggressively developing all the PTP funded projects, which currently total 45 site specific projects and approximately 695 neighborhood improvement projects that have been identified.  Substantial progress has been made on 42 of the 45 site specific projects as PWD has completed the construction of 23 roadway projects, 3 projects are in the construction phase, design has been completed for 8 additional projects, which are undergoing right-of-way acquisition, and 2 projects are currently under the planning and design process. Furthermore, PWD continues to work jointly with the City of Miami and the Town of Cutler Bay in the development of 7 projects which the municipalities have each requested to administer through Joint Participation Agreements (JPAs). Of the remaining 2 projects, one was deemed to be infeasible due to the need to displace a large number of residents if the corridor was widened. 

Among the Major Roadway projects completed; 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 to 32nd Avenue, SW 97 Avenue from SW 40 Street to SW 72 Street, Miami Avenue from 15th Road to 25th Road,  the widening of Northwest 62nd Avenue from two to four lanes between NW 105th Avenue and 138th Avenue, and the opening of SW 157 Avenue as a four lane road from SW 112th Avenue to SW 136 Avenue.  

The roadway projects that are planned that will facilitate the movement of traffic and people over the next 5 years, include the construction of Northwest 87th Avenue between NW 154th Street and Miami Gardens Drive, the construction and improvement of NW 74 Street between the Florida Turnpike and the Palmetto Expressway, the widening of NW 137 Avenue from NW North River Driver to NW 79 Street, and the widening of SW 27 Avenue between US1 and South Bayshore Drive as well as the widening of SW 157 Avenue from 2 lanes to 4 lanes between SW 152 St and SW 184 St.

Additionally, PWD has completed the implementation of over 630 Neighborhood Improvement Projects that include; roadway resurfacings, ADA sidewalk accessibility, drainage, traffic signals, traffic calming, 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, PWD is making it easier for motorists to read street signs. Almost 6000 new illuminated street name signs have been installed at more than 1530 intersections Countywide.  Additionally, PWD 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. 

School safety is another PTP goal. The half-penny surtax has funded the installation of more than one hundred new flashing signals in school zones, and is funding the installation of 300 Dynamic Driver Speed Feedback Signs at schools through the County 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.  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 or visit the PTP website.