Voters to decide on rapid mass transit in August primary
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The Metrorail in downtown Miami. Photo: Martina Tuaty/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Miami traffic is getting worse. Now voters can decide whether expanding rapid mass transit is the solution.
Why it matters: A yes vote on Tuesday's county referendum would signal to commissioners that they should move ahead on expansions of Metrorail and Metromover long promised to voters.
What they're saying: Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who co-sponsored the referendum, tells Axios that a big show of community support could help the county secure state and federal funding for the pricey projects.
- While the ballot question is nonbinding, Higgins says it's a gut check for the commission.
- "I think this will affirm loudly and clearly that people are tired of being stuck in traffic and they want our community to implement rapid mass transit."
State of play: The county's first new rapid transit corridor, a 20-mile bus route in South Dade, is expected to open April 2025.
- Major projects the county is proposing include Metrorail extensions to the Northeast and North Corridors, and Metromover extensions to Miami Beach and Florida International University.
🚇 The Northeast corridor extension, which would connect downtown to Aventura with stops in Wynwood and more, has been recommended for $263.7 million in federal funding by the Biden administration.
The North corridor extension, which would stretch past Hard Rock Stadium toward the county line, is being studied by the state, Higgins says.
- The state is also still reviewing proposals for the Baylink to South Beach and the Metromover extension to FIU along Flagler Street, she adds.
By the numbers: Elevated rail in particular is being pitched as a way to cut down commutes.
- The Baylink across the MacArthur Causeway would take about 15 minutes, the county has estimated.
Flashback: It's been over 20 years since voters were promised Metrorail extensions as part of the half-penny transit tax, but the commuter rail hasn't been extended since the Miami International Airport stop came online in 2012.
- Promises of a north corridor extension date back to the 1970s, when voters were pitched on building the Metrorail.
Context: Higgins said "transit planning was not prioritized" during previous administrations, but the current board is ready to charge ahead.
- The half-penny tax has been used to develop transit projects, but it's not enough to fund the system.
- "We will be able to build these projects. We have a commission that is committed to not just talking about transit — we want this fixed."
What's next: Higgins says a general obligation bond may be needed to provide additional funding.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the proposed Baylink across the MacArthur Causeway is expected to take 15 minutes (not save 15 minutes compared to driving).