HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-00-0062J-00-78
1/13/00
RESOLUTION NO. 2
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
URGING THE SECRETARY OF THE ' FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ("FDOT") TO
DELAY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SOUTHWEST 2ND
AVENUE BRIDGE FOR A PERIOD OF SIXTY DAYS TO
CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY
OF CONSTRUCTING A TUNNEL UNDER THE MIAMI
RIVER, AT A LOCATION BETWEEN BRICKELL AVENUE
AND THE I-95 EXPRESSWAY; SUPPORTING THE
REPLACEMENT OF THE BRIDGE AS PRESENTLY
PROPOSED SUBJECT TO THE SECRETARY OF FDOT
AUTHORIZING (A) A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
AND RE-EVALUATION OF ALL DOWNTOWN MIAMI
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, AND (B)
PROVIDING FUNDS TO UNDERWRITE THE COSTS OF
SUCH STUDY WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF AGENCIES
AS DESIGNATED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING AND
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH FDOT,
THE OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MANAGER,
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OF PLANNING
AND PUBLIC WORKS, AND THE METROPOLITAN
PLANNING ORGANIZATION FOR SAID PURPOSE;
DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY
OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN DESIGNATED
OFFICIAL.
WHEREAS, City Commission acknowledges plans presented by the
Florida Department of Transportation ("FDOT") to replace the
movable span bridge over the Miami River at Southwest 2nd Avenue,
Miami, Florida, during the Year 2000, at an estimated cost in
excess of $33 million; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes FDOT to consider the
feasibility of the construction of a tunnel, crossing the Miami
River in the Downtown area, east of I-95; and
CITY COMUSSION
ASEETING OF
JAM 1 3 2000
Resolution No.
WHEREAS, the City Commission is convinced that the future
viability of Downtown, and its positive contribution to the, tax
base of both the City of Miami and Miami -Dade County, is
dependent upon optimizing the capacity and efficiency of the
street system in the downtown area; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission is cognizant of.the pressing
need to improve the capacity and utilization of surface roadways
over the Miami River between Brickell Avenue and Flagler Street,
of which all such crossings are currently accomplished over
movable span bridges; and
WHEREAS, large-scale, intensive building development in
downtown Miami, including the Omni and Brickell sectors, is
creating, increasing volumes of traffic, placing additional
pressure on existing Miami River crossing; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission is aware that the one-way
traffic system now in place in the Central Business District and
Brickell sectors of downtown Miami tends to impede traffic flow
to and from the existing Miami River crossings, resulting in
severe traffic congestion at some bridge approaches, and under -
utilization of the existing bridge at Miami Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission recognizes that the
Southwest 2nd Avenue crossing of the Miami River presents the
last practical opportunity to consider a tunnel alternative to a
bridge crossing of the Miami River between Brickell Avenue and
Flagler Street; and
WHEREAS, it is apparent to the City Commission that the
existing one-way traffic pattern needs to be re-evaluated to
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determine whether restoration of two-way operations and other
operations improvements can effect more efficient utilization of
the street system and its river crossings; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission believes that other
recommendations that have been made in the past aimed at
increasing the efficiency of the surface transportation network
in downtown, including the.proposal to connect expressway ramps
directly to the surface grid systems in the most efficient
manner, should be re-examined in light of existing and ultimate
demands on the street system;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the
Preamble to this Resolution are hereby adopted by reference
thereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this
Section.
Section 2. The Secretary of the Florida Department of
Transportation ("FDOT") is hereby urged to delay the replacement
of the Southwest 2nd Avenue Bridge for a period of sixty (60)
days from the date of the adoption of this Resolution, to conduct
a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a tunnel
under the Miami River, at a location between Brickell Avenue and
the I-95 expressway.
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Section 3. Should it be determined that the construction
of a tunnel at a location other than Southwest 2nd Avenue is
feasible, the City Commission hereby supports the replacement of
the Southwest 2nd Avenue Bridge as presently proposed by FDOT,
subject to the following requests:
(A) the Secretary of FDOT authorizes a comprehensive
examination and re-evaluation of all downtown
Miami surface transportation systems, including
preparation of a Downtown Transportation Model and
other planning studies, analyses, and
recommendations that together will comprise a
comprehensive, long-range transportation master
plan for the downtown Miami area; and
(B) the Secretary of FDOT authorizes the necessary
funds to underwrite the cost of such a study, with
appropriate participation by the City of Miami,
Miami -Dade County and its Metropolitan Planning
Organization, and such other agencies as the
Secretary deems appropriate and necessary.
Section 4. The City Manager is hereby authorized and
directed to work with the Secretary of FDOT, the Office of the
Miami -Dade County Manager, the Miami -Dade Departments of Planning.
and Public Works, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization for
the Miami Urbanized Area for purposes as set forth herein.
Section 5. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit
a copy of this Resolution to the Secretary of the Florida
Department of Transportation.
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Section 6. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor.!'
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of January 2000.
JOE CAROLLO, MAYOR
accordance with Miami Code Sec. 2-36, 'since the Mayor did not Indicate approwni of
'Ns 10gislation by signing it in the designated place provided, said legis!a-iii'. row
bmmes effective with the elapse of ten (10) days fro adate o
nqjvding same,, without the Mayojr ex cisinga^�
ATTEST:
WALTER J.'FOEMAN
CITY CLERK
;S -
V
If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at
the end of ten calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted.
If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
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