A large portion of Brickell Avenue, officially part of U.S. Highway 1, is finally under the control of the City instead of the State. This means the long sought changes needed to make Brickell Avenue safer for pedestrians and drivers can be addressed by City and County government.
The top changes needed include:
- Lowering the speed limit to 30 miles per hour for all of Brickell Avenue beginning at Southeast 26th Road, making it uniform to the Brickell Bridge
- Replacing the confusing pedestrian signal at the 1800 block
- Adding left turn arrows at Brickell Avenue and Southeast 15th Road
Miami Police supported the neighborhood’s call to lower the speed limit. Over many years, the Florida Department of Transportation had declined multiple BHA appeals to make Brickell Avenue a 30 mile per hour road.
BHA continued pushing the City of Miami and Miami Dade County, which is responsible for traffic signalization, to make sure these issues received priority.
A long awaited jurisdiction change
In June 2013, City of Miami officials agreed to an exchange in jurisdiction through an agreement led by Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Florida Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla. The transfer was delayed when Florida Senator Gwen Margolis objected to the State relinquishing control.
With the transfer complete, the Brickell neighborhood gained a clearer path to advocate for local improvements.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Commissioner Sarnoff and Senator Diaz de la Portilla for spearheading this effort.”
Feldman noted that the change in authority covered Brickell Avenue from Interstate 95 north to Southeast Eighth Street. BHA had also sought the remaining blocks from Southeast Eighth Street to Southeast Fourth Street, but FDOT did not agree to that portion.
Improvement plan nearing completion
The Brickell Avenue Improvement Plan began in late spring and was nearing completion. Remaining items included trees that needed replacement after failing to adapt to their new surroundings, with completion expected in October.
Residents welcomed the wider sidewalks, added landscaping, and trees, which better accommodated walkers, strollers, joggers, and others using the neighborhood.
Significant new issues identified
A July walk along Brickell Avenue from Southeast 9th Street to Southeast 15th Road brought together BHA Vice President Bill Fitch, Commissioner Sarnoff, Capital Improvements Director Mark Spanioli, and Public Works Director Ed Santamaria.
The group identified safety and appearance concerns that included:
- Damaged sidewalks
- Damaged manhole and utility covers
- Abandoned bollard holes
- Poor sidewalk patch work
- Sidewalk conditions creating tripping hazards
- Missing crosswalk striping
- Missing pedestrian signals
- Blocked sidewalks creating potential ADA compliance concerns
Commissioner Sarnoff asked the participating City departments to prepare an estimate for correcting the deficiencies. He also committed to reviewing similar issues between Southeast Eighth Street and the Miami River and, where necessary, asking FDOT to address them.
From BHA News, Volume XXIV, Number 2, Summer and Fall 2014.