Fariha Tasnim Amir | Staff Writer
FIU’s BBC campus is getting a brand new metro rail station following the $389.5 million funding approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) towards the Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project.
The anticipated approval of the massive rail project spanning 13.5 miles connecting Miami-Dade to Broward and Palm Beach counties is predicted to bring forth major improvements in Miami commute, along with connecting FIU’s north campus to the rest of Miami.
Miami’s longrunning transportation issue has been affecting FIU’s commuter students for years. This recent initiation by Miami-Dade Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit’s (SMART) to construct 5 rapid transit corridors in vibrant areas such as Wynwood, Little Haiti, and the FIU Biscayne Bay campus might be the solution we need to finally upgrade the county’s public transit infrastructure.
“The northeast corridor and its local commuter rail service will help reduce traffic and give many residents, especially in underserved areas, more options to access jobs, education and opportunities,” Mayor of Miami-Dade county, Daniella Levine Cava expressed following the awaited approval of the large scale project.
The rail project achieved a “medium-high” rating from the Federal Transit Administration based on strict evaluations on all fronts and is expected to provide commuters with more affordable options for public transport. “This milestone is a big step toward providing our community with more accessible and sustainable transit options for our residents,” Commissioner Micky Steinberg said.
“We are thrilled with this development advancing our rapid transit vision for Miami-Dade County,” stated Eulois Cleckley, Director and CEO of Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). This project aims to integrate the Miami Central and West Aventura stations while adding 5 stops to traffic heavy areas like Wynwood, the Design District, Little Haiti, North Miami, and the BBC campus. It will also include enhancements to the rail vehicle maintenance storage facility in Hialeah.
The 85-mile Coastal Link commuter rail is estimated to cost $927.3 million in total, with the Florida Department of Transportation contributing $200 million, $337 million in county funding and $389.5 million in federal funding. Federal Transit Administration’s approval of the federal funding has launched the project into its engineering and pre-construction phase, waiting to be approved by the congress once a revised financial plan is submitted by the Miami-Dade county.
“This announcement by the FTA marks a commitment to a more accessible, resilient, and inclusive Miami-Dade County. Whether it’s jobs, housing, or educational opportunities,” said Board of County Commissioners Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III.
DTPW, along with Florida Department of Transformation, District 6 and 4, Brightline, Florida East Coast Railway, and Broward County will continue to work together to make the NorthEast transit project a reality.
About Post Author
