The Town of Miami Lakes saw two appropriations from its funding wish list make it through the most recent state legislative session.
The projects, totaling $1.632 million, are considered priorities for the town and will address two of its recurring issues: drainage and traffic.
Not cut from the budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis were $630,000 for improvements to the drainage system along Big Cypress Drive, between Miami Lakeway South and Twin Sabal Drive, and $1,002,500 to extend the existing turn lane at Northwest 154th Street for motorists traveling south onto Northwest 77th Court.
Currently the turn lane begins at the middle of the bridge that is parallel to Miami Lakes Drive; the new turn lane will begin farther east, closer to the Palmetto Expressway southbound exit ramp.
Town Manager Edward Pidermann said for Big Cypress Drive, Miami Lakes will first sign an agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
“The drainage project is already designed so we’ll probably just have to refresh the DERM permit and then we can award construction,” Pidermann said in an email.
He estimated construction could begin in three months.
The turn lane will be overseen by the Florida Department of Transportation, and requires an agreement signed by that agency, a transportation study and designs.
“Once design is complete, then we’ll award construction,” Pidermann said of preparations that could take a year before ground is broken.
On social media, Mayor Josh Dieguez thanked Fla. Rep. Tom Fabricio, state Sen. Bryan Avila and the town’s lobbyists for winning the appropriations.
The new turn lane will improve safety at intersections along Northwest 154th Street and the Palmetto Expressway interchanges, relieve congestion and improve traffic flow, according to a town proposal.
The new drains on Big Cypress Drive will have increased water capacity, reduce local flooding and will “directly benefit 360 properties,” the town said.