Miami, Florida – The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) announced that it has received a significant boost to its efforts in enhancing the region’s transportation network. A substantial sum of $16.7 million in federal earmarks has been allocated to the department, marking a pivotal moment for infrastructure development and safety initiatives within the county. This funding, obtained through the Fiscal Year 2024 Community Project Funding request process, is earmarked for a variety of projects aimed at not only improving roadway conditions but also advancing the Vision Zero safety goals and a comprehensive station planning study. The latter is designed to bridge the gap for communities currently cut off from vital resources such as education, healthcare, employment, and entertainment.
Federal Support for a Safer, More Connected Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed gratitude for the investment, highlighting the positive impact it will have on the county’s residents. “These funds represent a significant investment in the safety and well-being of Miami-Dade residents,” she stated. The mayor praised the efforts of the county’s congressional delegation for securing resources pivotal to enhancing roadway safety and mobility, especially for historically marginalized communities.
The delegation’s successful advocacy efforts were led by Representatives Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Frederica Wilson, Mario Diaz Balart, Carlos Gimenez, and Maria Elvira Salazar. Notably, Representative Gimenez was instrumental in securing $9 million dedicated to roadway improvement and resurfacing projects, while Representative Diaz-Balart contributed nearly $8 million towards similar projects alongside Vision Zero safety improvements. Furthermore, Representative Wilson played a crucial role in acquiring $500,000 for the “Reconnecting Communities: Station Area Master Analysis” project, aimed at restoring community access to critical transit and economic opportunities.
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Jimmy Morales, Chief Operations Officer for Miami-Dade County, emphasized the transformative potential of these earmarks for the county’s transportation landscape. He acknowledged the collective efforts and strategic advocacy that led to the successful funding acquisition, underscoring the focus on addressing immediate safety and mobility concerns.
The allocated funds will facilitate a variety of critical projects, including roadway expansions to ease traffic flow, modernizing traffic signals, enhancing stormwater drainage systems, and installing pedestrian safety measures such as high-visibility crosswalks and hybrid beacons at key intersections. Moreover, the planning study supported by these funds aims to redress the disconnect experienced by communities from the mainstream transit network and economic hubs, reinforcing the county’s commitment to equitable access and safety for all its residents.
Eulois Cleckley, Director and CEO of DTPW, highlighted the federal government’s acknowledgment of the urgent need for focused transportation investments that champion safety and accessibility. The newly secured earmarks are seen as a vital step towards implementing improvements that will not only enhance road safety but also promote broader connectivity across Miami-Dade’s transit system.
