A public transport development project is about to begin construction after state and federal authorities gave financial support to the project. The idea of putting the Northeast Rapid Transit Corridor into operation will contribute considerably to minimizing traffic problems in one of the most car-frequented cities.
The primary goal of the rapid rail system is to link the city of Aventura with Downtown Miami, offering a new and very useful option for residents who suffer delays due to traffic jams that occur at different times of the day. The designers will work on seven key stations that will be built in areas of great importance and demand in the county, which will allow the greatest number of people to be loaded by rail.
One of the new stations will be built on 27th Street in Northeast Wynwood, benefiting residents of this busy neighborhood, said Eileen Higgins, a Miami-Dade commissioner who has staunchly defended this highly significant investment for county residents.
Lucia Luque, a resident of this colorful neighborhood, offered her opinion to the press, highlighting the benefits that residents will have with this new transportation. "It is true that trips without traffic would take 12 or 15 minutes, and during rush hour it could take up to an hour." Another resident who identifies himself as Andrew Monroe said that any investment made to minimize the use of cars would be excellent.
Places like Little Haiti, North Miami, and the areas near FIU in Biscayne will benefit, Higgins said, noting that they are currently not served by rail and are only served by cars, causing heavy traffic congestion. The new stations will also create new jobs and economic opportunities. “We are committed to connecting people to their jobs, schools and entertainment centers,” Higgins said.
The commissioner has been advocating this alternative in Washington for several years and has maintained confidence in this project since the majority of Miami-Dade County residents approved a public consultation to approve rapid transit in the August primaries. According to her, 80% of participating residents voted in favor of the extension of public transportation in the county.
A letter from the U.S. Department of Transportation confirms approval to begin construction of these stations and the funding that exists for it, however, Higgins argues that the trains that will provide the service must also be purchased.
The costly Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit project would cost a significant amount of $927.3 million, of which the Federal Transit Administration would provide the majority of the money with $389.4 million. The state of Florida will also contribute some $200 million to this investment, while Miami-Dade County will allocate $338 million. This joint effort between the authorities reflects the interest in turning around the areas most affected by traffic and at the same time providing more transportation options to this area of Miami.
A distinctive element of the investment is that the train lines to be used will be the same ones that already exist, which will allow construction schedules to be shortened. In this sense, it is known that this system should begin to be used in approximately three years, guaranteeing better mobility of people and less traffic in the city by that date.
The city of Miami is known worldwide for its tourist attractions and vibrant nightlife, which poses a challenge on the city's roads. In February of this year, INRIX, a company specializing in mobility analysis, ranked Miami as the eighth most congested city in the world. According to the study, drivers lose around 105 hours a year on the roads, which represents an economic cost for people, but also causes a negative environmental impact.
