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Project Environmental Studies

Lead Agencies:

  • Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW)
  • Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six
Planning and Project Development Phase

FDOT District Six and DTPW have initiated Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Studies to evaluate proposed transportation improvements for the SMART Plan corridors as adopted by the Miami-Dade TPO Governing board in April 2016. The SMART Plan serves as an actionable plan that seeks to improve mobility within Miami-Dade County through the prioritization of premium transit services. The PD&E Studies serve as the next step in the planning process to make premium transit service a reality along the corridors that directly support the mobility of Miami-Dade Counties future population and employment growth.

The PD&Es will evaluate the implementation of a cost-effective, premium transit system and infrastructure within the corridors as part of an overall interconnected premium transit network. A focus on providing multimodal street improvements to accommodate Premium Transit service will be determined through an evaluation of transit options – mode, alignment, station stop locations, etc.

Characteristics of premium transit services are those that offer faster speeds, are more frequent and operate within a fixed or exclusive guideway when compared to local transit service. Examples of premium transit modes include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), and Heavy Rail Transit (HRT/Metrorail) that provide rapid transit service with various passenger attributes and amenities at stations and within the vehicles themselves.
A comprehensive public involvement program is a key component of these studies. The program consists of formal and informal meetings with the general public, governmental agencies, elected officials, municipal staff, local transportation providers and other interested parties. As a member of this community, your involvement is important.
  • Improve mobility by offering alternate transportation options with competitive travel times.
  • Increase connectivity to the regional transit system and access to major destinations.
  • Minimize adverse impacts to the community and businesses.
  • Encourage transit oriented development and economic opportunities for corridor residents.
  • Encourage pedestrian and bicycle travel to reduce the growing number of automobile trips.
  • Support sustainable development including social and economic opportunities that enhance quality of life in the community.
  • Improve regional connectivity and access to regional attractors in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.