Miami — Rail Decision Delayed

Rail Transit Online, July 2003

It now appears that Miami Beach City commissioners will be unable to make a decision on whether to support the BayLink rail transit proposal at their July 10 special meeting because consultant HDR Engineering, hired to make a quick evaluation of the possible alternatives, will not have a report ready in time for public distribution and comment.  BayLink is to be a $400-million light rail or streetcar connection between South Beach and downtown Miami.  It was proposed by the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which must soon decide whether to continue with the project.  Alternatives include changing the route and building the line without help from Miami Beach or canceling the scheme.  Last Mar. 12 the MPO gave Miami Beach a 120-day deadline to come up with a verdict, but the commissioners won’t be hurried.  “The July 10 meeting will be to discuss the preliminary report and a decision will be made within a reasonable time,” Mayor David Dermer told The Miami Herald.  “There was the feeling that there should be more time.  I think it's safe to say that no community is thinking and discussing and debating transit more than our city.”  HDR Engineering is looking at both light rail and buses for the BayLink route, which is approximately five miles long.  MPO staff director José Luis Mesa says he hopes Miami Beach commissioners make a decision by the agency’s July 24 meeting, when BayLink is scheduled to be discussed.