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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocument submitted into the public recordPl CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM a�7 TO : Honorable Mayor and mi City Coy it sioners FROM : c).Q Arriola y Manager n (i DATE : June 23, 2004 SUBJECT: FILE : City Commission, July 8, 2004, Discussion Items, Miami Streetcar Feasibility Study and REFERENCESBay Link Study ENCLOSURES: This memorandum is to request that two discussion items be scheduled on the Miami City Commission meeting of July 8, 2004. The first item is the Miami Streetcar Feasibility Study, a presentation by the City's consultants, HDR, Engineering, Inc. on the status of the study including an overview of the streetcar technology, proposed concept route from downtown Miami to Little Haiti with station locations and preliminary capital and operating costs. The second and companion item is Bay Link, Miami -Miami Beach Transportation Corridor Study, a presentation by the Miami -Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization and their team of consultants led by Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. on the status of the study. Bay Link is a proposed streetcar line connecting downtown Miami to South Beach. MIAMI-MIAMI BEACH TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR STUDY June 17, 2004 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is Bay Link? Bay Link is a proposed streetcar line connecting downtown Miami to South Beach, two of South Florida's greatest economic centers. There would also be a local line staying within Miami Beach to provide internal circulation between South Pointe, the Convention Center and the Cultural Campus. Bay Link would • Connect j ob centers i n downtown Miami to current and future residential areas there and in South Beach • Provide a transit link for workers in Miami to service sector jobs in Miami Beach • Improve the connec- tion between Miami Beach and downtown Miami activity centers such as Bayfront Park, Bayside Marketplace, American Airlines Arena, Parrot Jungle, Children's Museum, Performing Arts Center and the proposed museums in Bicentennial Park • Provide a better connection between downtown Miami hotels and the Miami Beach Convention Center What is Phase II of the Bay Link Study about? During this phase of the Bay Link Study a Preliminary Engineering/Final Environmental Impact Statement (PEIFEIS) Application will be prepared and submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The application seeks approval from the FTA to formally enter into preliminary engineering. Work will include updating estimates of project capital and operating costs and ridership. The FTA will review the application and, if it receives a medium to high rating, put it in line to receive federal funding. Phase II will also provide information about pro- posed station area location, layout and requirements to citizens who live, work or own property nearby. They will then have the opportunity to comment on these elements as well as on pedestrian and vehicular access. In the process citizens may assist planners by further defin- ing the Locally Preferred Alternative, or route. They will also be able to review and provide input on station area aesthetics such as signage, lighting, landscaping, canopy and artwork. These comments will be incorporated into the final design of the stations. Who is conducting this study? The Bay Link study is being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and managed by the Miami -Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the body responsible for long range transportation planning. Through the competitive bid process, the MPO selected a team of consultants led by the internationally respected engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas to carry out the study. How much will Bay Link cost? The cost of building the Bay Link project is estimated at $400 million. Once built the annual cost to operate and maintain the system is estimated at $10 million. Both figures are in 2003 dollars. Where will funding come from? Funding for Bay Link is expected to come from a variety of sources. It is anticipated that nearly 50% of the funding will come from the New Starts P rogram administered by the FTA. Bay Link is part of the People's Transportation Plan, so approximately 25% of the funding will come from the half cent sales tax dedicated to transportation and overwhelming accepted by Miami -Dade County voters in 2002. The remaining 25% of the financing will come from state funding sources. What is the proposed route for Bay Link in downtown Miami? In downtown Miami, Bay Link would provide two-way service along most of the route, with a slight variation to allow for one-way pairing of streets at the south end of the loop. Clockwise circulation would run from NE 9th Street south on Biscayne Boulevard to NE lst Street, west to NW 1st Avenue, north to NW 9th Street and east back to Biscayne Boulevard. Counterclockwise circulation would run from Biscayne Boulevard west from NE 9th Street to NW 1st Avenue, south to SW 1st Street, east to Biscayne Boulevard and north back to NE 9th street. How does Bay Link operate in Miami Beach? Bay Link travels in both directions across the MacArthur Causeway but within Miami Beach there are two one-way loops circulating in opposite directions. The regional circulator comes from downtown Miami via the south side of the bridge, continues along the south side of the MacArthur Causeway and then runs counterclockwise east along 5th Street to Washington Avenue, north to 17th Street, west to Alton Road and then south back to 5th Street. The local circulator stays within Miami Beach and runs clockwise from Biscayne Street north on Alton Road east on Dade Boulevard and south on Washington Avenue back to Biscayne Street. Transfers from one circulator to the other can be made at stations along Alton Road and Washington Avenue. Map depicts general route and station locations which are subject to refinement as a result of citizen input. LEGEND Ilrtrr-n LPAANcgrrnwit milimmre IPAAllijrrneol MolgAnvvor RIolk,n Yo (Y fl %1:4) rHl) Miami 5fro91ca What could the stations look like? The final appearance of the stations is what will be considered in community meetings for station design. Generally they consist of a raised platform approximately 14" high to permit boarding vehicles without stepping up and easy wheel -chair accessibility via ramps at each end. They also include a canopy to protect passengers from the elements, fare vending machines, signage, system maps, landscaping and artwork. Looking to the design of existing stations worldwide, there are a myriad of possibilities. The illustrations depict some examples of what might work in the South Florida setting. area How were the Locations for stations determined? Station locations have been identified based on their proximity to activity centers, also taking into consideration walking distances and impacts on parking and traffic movements. They may be further refined during the Station Area Design Placement of stations is determined by the distance between them and their proximity to major inter- sections. Stations are generally located no more than one half mile apart for the convenience of rail passengers. Making more frequent stops could provide better access but would make the rail line's operation less efficient. process. What kind of vehicles would be used? The Bay Link line would run on rails and be powered by an overhead connection, or catenary, to a power source. The appearance of the cars is something which will be decided in the future if the project gains approval by the FTA. Technology changes very rapidly, so the decision on what type of car will be employed is not part of this phase of the Study. As with station area design, there are many possibilities for the appearance of the streetcars. Whatever the design, the train will be short enough to navigate city blocks in downtown Miami and South Beach and will be equipped to meet current standards of comfort and accessibility. Why can't more buses be added to existing routes instead of Bay Link? Local streets in downtown Miami and in South Beach are already highly congested with cars and buses. Adding more buses would only add to that overcrowding and degrade the quality of our air. Bay Link would eliminate the need for 2/3 of the 600 buses which circulate in Miami Beach every day! Will Bay Link connect anywhere with Metrorail or Metrobuses? Bay Link is one part of the Miami -Dade County People's Transportation Plan which may ultimately provide connections to Miami International Airport and beyond to Florida International University. Future connections may also extend north toward the county line. When complete, Bay Link will be operated by Miami -Dade Transit and will connect to other systems currently operating within Miami -Dade County such as Metrorail, Metromover and Metrobus. Easy and enhanced transfer points will be designated in Miami and Miami Beach providing convenient, reliable and frequent service throughout the county and beyond. How will Bay Link and its stations affect parking? The Bay Link System is being designed to have a minimal effect on parking. Its primary impact will be at station locations where parking is currently available. Before construction begins, any loss of parking will be mitigated by adding space in nearby lots or structures. Nevertheless, projected ridership of 15,000-18,000 people a day will Lessen the demand for parking. How will Bay Link construction disrupt traffic? During construction, there will be a short-term impact to traffic as track is laid, the electrical system is installed and stations are constructed. One traffic lane will be closed temporarily during construction of Bay Link and it will take approximately 21 days to complete a three block section of the system. All this will be carefully coordinated to maintain access to businesses and minimize traffic disruption. Before construction begins, ample notification will be given to residents and business owners and traffic maintenance plans will be strictly enforced. When built, will Bay Link disrupt traffic as it moves through downtown Miami and South Beach? The Bay Link System is being designed to minimize impacts on the flow of traffic. Whatever their design, Bay Link vehicles will operate in mixed traffic. That means they will share a traffic lane with the cars and trucks using the roadways. By carefully coordinating traffic signals, the streetcars will be able to navigate city streets quickly and efficiently and the flow of traffic should actually improve. Maneuvering around them will be no more difficult than maneuvering around a Metrobus. What happens if the power goes out? Bay Link vehicles receive electrical power from electrical substations through overhead wires or catenaries. No two adjacent substations are connected to the same power company substation. Therefore, if the power goes out in one substation, the affected vehicle will continue to receive power from another. Bay Link could continue to operate at diminished speeds with the loss of several substations. Total loss of power is an extremely rare occurrence for these systems. The catenary system is engineered to be able to sustain hurricane force winds. For the safety of passengers, if winds reach sustained force of 65 miles per hour or there is flooding of more than 14 inches, the system will be shut down. How soon could Bay Link be operational? According to current transportation priorities within Miami -Dade County, the Bay Link project is slated for completion in the year 2023. As the project moves forward, it could gain a higher priority for funding within the county's Long Range Transportation Plan, making its completion date sooner. How will I be able to express my opinion? During Phase II of this study a series of station area planning meetings will be held with residents and business owners/operators with properties adjacent to, or affected by, Bay Link lines and stations. The meetings will be advertised in local newspapers and meeting notices will be mailed to residents and business operators in proximity to the proposed routes. During a first round of meetings, individuals will be offered ample opportunity to interact with planners and offer suggestions for the placement and aesthetics of the stations. Public comment from these meetings will be incorporated into station design and subsequent cost estimates. A second round of meetings will provide citizens the opportunity to review and comment on the results and will serve as the basis for pre- liminary design as the project continues to move forward. You may contact the following individuals to learn more about the project, add your name to the mailing list or offer comments: General Information: Matthew D. Monica Communikatz, Inc. 4141 NE 2 Ave., Ste. 101D Miami, FL 33137 305-573-4455 Fax 305-573-4466 mmonica@communikatz.com Carmen Morris Carmen Morris & Assoc. 15074 SW 127 Court Miami, FL 33186 305-278-2395 Fax 305-278-1528 cmorris(cZbellsouth.net Media Contact: Wilson Fernandez Metropolitan Planning Organization 111 NW 1 Street, Suite 910 Miami, FL 33128 305-375-1888 Fax 305-375-4950 wi lson(a),miamidade. gov For more information, visit www. miami dade. gov/mpo Pite r)14 s. 1- 8-04 No. o s4 - oo•, 33 bailiKk Pk". 'AtseusSi or -rAeA, -gat! Link Miami -Miami Beach Transportation Corridor Study !ROI • 100 t oqi " Pi-77-CoL;a:sce.A-41, MI 1:11;8E TODAY'S PURPOSE • Review Bay Link Project and Purpose • Review the Project Development Process • Preserithe Refined LPA • Review Next Steps hfk 0 VjTISBAY LINK? gait Street Car Line Providing a Regional Transit Connection Between Miami and Miami Beach: • Maximize tremendous transit investment to date with reliable high capacity regional connection. • Provide support for current and future development and connect major public/private investment in region's economic core. • Provide circulation in core areas. • Serve as connection for future extensions. Federal Transit Administration: Program Development Process Decision/Approval 5 We Are Here w -J c v (A 0 ©•u, E a) C uu C cu 01 cu 0 o Cc Q<3z°o . Ca_ a 0 0 cn CI 2 U w Lei_— u L • • • • • Phases of Development Current PTP Priority Fastest Possible Lifik Phase 2 Products Refine LPA Definition (Complete 7/30/04) • F.Lhaical Alignment/Station Locations • Operating Plan • Ridership Projections • Capital and Operations and ntenance Cost • Traffic Analysis/Origin and Destination Study PE/FEIS Request (Submit 8/12/04) • PE/FEIS Request Letter • New Starts Report • Project Management Plan • PE/FEIS Scope of Work Extensive Public Involvement (Continuous Over Phase 2) Phase 2 Outreach Summary gay A: hfkr • -2 Form 1111.000pgs:. • 6--Station Area PlanningMEetingsMeetings Preser4atiop-tpDpA • 2 Bay Link Advisory Committee Meetings • Presentation to City of MiamiCommission reselitatiorls to MPO Board an Subcomthittees Locally Preferred Alternative i ITY3kh ST I� i t 2711 ST _ . • ▪ w _- i • + 1�'i kiL irirj l\ TUTTLE CAUSEWAY Biscayne _ J Belle VEN 1Glar5u1 LEGEND L!"icbin lid Mail LPAAlignment' f ielr}toii LPAAlignment Miami MerrorrovGr S1ahors Yud . 5hcp TBD Miami Alignment & Station Locations Fill7 ry, , nT P - pl �.. -. _ .•aiuxu4l A X��) I 'w a<;: R R. ,, : i MIAMf pV NE 5Lp",S STATIC.I NE 10E 5T. NE OM ST AMJ AVE I 8th ST NATION w.NE 7tE 5T. NE 6L7 57. E 4!h ST. tiE 2M S7. 815RAI 5LVD P ,ARAOYEM�, fER. GONER, $' ..AMERIChy AIRLINE$ ARENA- 11 STATIOI,U. NE 1st AVE.I NE 8th ST. STATION I- NF ist ST NE 151 AVE TON OSELIM PARK/ PERFORMING ARTS STATION AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA AYFRONT TTATION DVS. V 1 CENTER FLAOLY:R OJPROVENENTS S'ATiON 9ArFA0NT PARK SE 151 ST.� 1 1 %5 NE 3,1 AVE/ . prt 51 ii7.41 �.aSTATION. •' • _ Le end: Bay Link Alignment Miami Street Car Route Bay Link Stations Bay Link and Miami Street Car Shared Stations Street Car Vehicle Characteristics gay AL'hfkr CHARACTERISTICS SKODA INEKON (Portland Street Car) hout Pantograph) Cost Per Car Floor Height 11' - 4" 67'-102' 8'-1" $2.0M 14" Weight (AWO) 27 tons # of Articulations 2 Low Floor 40% Operating/Max Speed Passenger Capacity 31 MPH / 45 MPH 41 Seated; 154 total Operations N ■ ■ N E 1st Avedll Miami AveINE 8th St ONE 8th St di ■ ■ Ailkisti Miami AveINE 5th St Q nNE 1st Avel Bayside NINE 5th St • NW 3rd StINW 1st A�®� ■ ! ►► aN E 1st St/ 0111 K NE 1st Ave l Bayfront Government Center •1 II ■, ®. II[®�t `•IIN E 1 Stl NE 3rd Ave ► ■101■■■■Olo•■■1► s `S 1st F �Sfst/4. St/s, d m/q fe gfre Museum Park/ ".I.♦ Performing Arts,•W pdrk kil es/ • 44 .411011021 • American Airlines Arena 'gaff 'Usk II To Watson Island/Miami Beach Legend • Bay Link Stations O Shared Stations • ■ ■ ■ Inbound Track/Loop • • ■ ■ Outbound Track/Loop Miami Street Car Possible Future Extensions Possible Future Extension Possible Future Extension Possible Future Extension gay 1..PK11 To Watson Island/Miami Beach 5 Min. Headways Legend • Bay Link Stations 0 Shared Stations Inbound Track/Loop Outbound Track/Loop Miami Street Car American Airlines Agena Station American Airlines tena Station Watson Island Station ISLgND ARD PROPROSED PARK NG LOT ICI TY 3F MIAMI Pedestrian Bridge to Parrot Jungle PARROT JUNGLE MIAMI YACHT CLUB MIAMI OUTBOARD CLUB BISCAYNE BAY NEXT STEPS L117 hfk • SubnEIS Request to FTA (8/12/04) • FTA Ranks Project, Authorizes P EIF E 1 S (9/30/04) • MPO Reassesses Bay Link's Regional Priority MDT Selects Cons ., nt / Starts PE/FEIS (1/14/05)