The multi-million-dollar road expansion and bridge project to connect the north and south sides of Northwest 59th Avenue may move forward after a federal grant was awarded to the Town of Miami Lakes.
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Doral, announced a $3 million Community Project funding grant to town officials gathered Feb. 21 on the north bank of the Biscayne Canal.
“Your hard work is why we are here today,” Diaz-Balart told Mayor Manny Cid, Council members Josh Dieguez and Ray Garcia; Town Manager Edward Pidermann; Deputy Town Manager Tony Lopez; Grants and Government Affairs Manager Renee Wilson; Town Planner Susana Alonso; Public Works Director Omar Santos-Baez and T.C. Wolfe, legislative consultant with New Century Government Affairs.
Not present for the ceremony was Miami Lakes Finance Director Kay Grant, who also is working on the project.
Diaz-Balart also praised cooperation between town officials and the county and state governments.
Entities that own adjacent properties or have a say over them – including Caterpillar; Miami-Dade County School Board; Miami-Dade County Aviation Department, the Federal Aviation Administration and the owner of an office/warehouse building on the south side – are all part of ongoing negotiations on the project.
The north and south sides of the avenue -- from Northwest 167th Street and from Miami Lakes Drive -- end near the waterway.
Land south of the canal is owned by county aviation and includes a runway protection zone for Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
A 135-foot-long concrete bridge, with two travel lanes for vehicles and two shared paths for pedestrians and bicycles would span the canal and connect the avenue.
The interrupted roadway is currently an impediment to police and firefighters who respond to emergencies along Northwest 59th Avenue.
“Public safety in this area will dramatically improve,” Town Manager Edward Pidermann said of the total $14.2 million project that he called the town’s “most urgent need, 100%.”
Residents, commuters and truck drivers currently must travel east out of town to Red Road/Northwest 57th Avenue to reach destinations such as the Miami Lakes Educational Center, Costco, Home Depot and scores of businesses in the neighborhood.
When the road is connected, drivers will be able to stay in Miami Lakes.
“We have this beautiful project right behind us,” Mayor Manny Cid said. “Due to these dollars we’re getting, we’re going to build a bridge connecting a part of our community that’s never had connectivity before.”
The project is predicted to alleviate traffic congestion on Red Road. Planned features include bike paths and sidewalks around the high school and along Northwest 151st Street to Miami Lakeway North.
“I think this bridge will be great for us!” Miami Lakes Educational Center Principal Yaset Fernandez said in an email. “I feel it may alleviate a bit of traffic and, more importantly, I’m hopeful they can simultaneously designate the area around the school as a School Zone, since currently it is not.
“Also, I know my students and staff will appreciate not having to use Red Road to leave campus during rush hour,” he said.
Other funding sources include $3.8 million from FDOT through the county incentive grant program; $1.9 million from county road impact fees and $5.7 million, received from the county People’s
Transportation Plan, Pidermann said.
“I’m hoping that within 12 months, we can start construction,” Pidermann said.
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Doral, announces a $3 million federal transportation grant for the Northwest 59th Avenue road expansion project in Miami Lakes. With the congressman at the future job site on Feb. 21 are from left, Councilman Ray Garcia; Asst. Town Attorney Lorenzo Cobiella; Public Works Director Omar Santos-Baez; Grants and Government Affairs Manager Renee Wilson; U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart; Mayor Manny Cid; Councilman Josh Dieguez and Town Manager Edward Pidermann. Courtesy photo.