More than 30 residents from the Lake Patricia neighborhood attended a public hearing to oppose new on and off ramps for the Gratigny Parkway.
While the residents did not agree with the off ramps, some residents were not opposed to on ramps.
Residents came out to the meeting, held on June 24 by the Greater Miami Expressway Authority at Miami Lakes Town Hall, to see plans and share opinions on the project.
The proposed plan is to build an on ramp and two off ramps onto Northwest 67th Avenue and Northwest 138th Street from the Gratigny Parkway.
“The purpose of this public hearing is to share information with the general public about proposed improvements, the conceptual design, alternatives …,” Robert Carballo, general engineering consultant for GMX, told residents.
Carballo presented the project through a slide show to address different concerns residents may have regarding the changes.
The current design proposal would create an interchange with a westbound entrance and exit ramps as well as a new eastbound entrance ramp and realignment of the Graham Dairy Canal at Northwest 67th Avenue.
If approved, the project would begin in the summer of 2027 and take two years to complete.
According to GMX, the project would provide connection to expressway systems, help with increased transportation demand, enhance accessibility to and from the expressway network and provide congestion relief for Miami Lakes and Hialeah.
Resident Ileana Colombo, who lives on Lake Candlewood Court, spoke during the hearing and played audio of her backyard. The audio included the sound of cars passing by on the expressway.
“It’s an eyesore, and you can see it you go down Lake Patricia Drive and you look at any of the streets that are perpendicular to it you see the Gratigny,” Colombo told The Miami Laker.
Her biggest concern was the additional noise that the ramps would bring along with more traffic.
“Your quality of life is gone, nobody bought a home in Miami Lakes because they wanted noise,” Colombo said.
This is the second meeting held by GMX; in January, residents expressed similar concerns about the design.
Lake Patricia resident concerns range from increased traffic to noise behind homes to diminished property values.
Sam Budlong also expressed concern about the ramps during the hearing. He said the project felt redundant as there are on and off ramps on Northwest 57th Avenue. He feels those ramps could be improved.
“I was not swayed in any way with anything they had to say,” Budlong told The Miami Laker. He plans to work with his neighbors to get the word out on his street.
GMX will be taking comments from residents until July 5; comments can be submitted either via email to tgarcia@gmx-way.com or via stamped mail to 3790 NW 21 St, Miami, FL 33142.
Residents wishing to see the project can see materials in Miami Lakes Town Hall, 6601 Main St., until July 8.