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The controversial SW 87th Avenue Bridge Project in Palmetto Bay continues to stay in the news.
The purpose of the project is to construct a bridge over the C-100 canal, connecting SW 87th Avenue from SW 164th Street to SW 163rd Terrace, to include vehicle lanes, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian sidewalks. The project is expected to be completed by late 2025.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen-Higgins, who rapidly pushed the project through the commission during the COVID pandemic as “an emergency issue” at the request of Cutler Bay residents and officials as well as some District 3 Palmetto Bay residents, said the issue is a “done deal.”
Two email notices issued on Aug. 4 and 5 however indicated there are new developments.
The first email announced a Special Council Meeting scheduled for Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.
The village email stated, “This Special Council Meeting is to discuss and take possible action regarding the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works Project No. 20220010, the SW 87 Ave Bridge. Specifically, the village has serious safety concerns as the same contractor who was awarded this contract was the builder of the Florida International University (FIU) Bridge that collapsed on Mar. 15, 2018, killing six people and injuring 10.”
The second email was issued by village attorney John Dellagloria.
“The Village has just received the welcome news that the Third District Court of Appeal has granted the village’s motion to hear oral argument in the matter of Village of Palmetto Bay, Florida; Caroline Hetu, and Craig Woischwill vs. Miami-Dade County, Florida, (Case No.: 3D2024-0230.),” Dellagloria said. “As the Third District does not automatically grant oral argument in each case that is filed in the court, granting the village’s motion is significant.
The Village thanks the efforts of our counsel, Norman M. Waas and Jessica Hernandez, for their tireless representation on behalf of the Village and our resident Plaintiffs.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, in a statement made to CBS News Miami regarding the development, said “My top priority is the safety of all our residents and neighborhoods. I have opposed the construction of a bridge on 87th Avenue since I was a commissioner in the district and worked hard to support and put in place different measures to address traffic congestion in the area. Some of these measures include the construction of traffic circles at key intersections, additional Bus Rapid Transit stations on US1, and extending smart traffic lights on US 1.”
Mayor Levine Cava added, “The construction of the bridge was approved and authorized by a vote of the [Miami-Dade] Board of County Commissioners with an overwhelming majority in 2021 and Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works proceeded with the process as required.
“I have been in touch with [Palmetto Bay] Mayor [Karyn] Cunningham over the last few days and requested an immediate review of the contract process in response to concerns from Palmetto Bay residents. The department will be prepared to share all the facts at the upcoming council meeting on Thursday.”
An email was sent promptly to residents by the Palmetto Bay Neighbors Alliance Inc. State records list Pamela Gorman as the director of the Alliance. She previously has run for office in the village.
“We wanted to share our thoughts on a significant issue currently unfolding in our community of Palmetto Bay. Recently, it came to light that the contract for the construction of the 87th Avenue bridge has been awarded to a company involved in the tragic Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse in 2018. This revelation has understandably sparked concern and controversy among our residents,” Gorman said. “The timing of this controversy is particularly significant, coinciding with the start of early voting for Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s re-election campaign.
“Mayor Cava’s administration, like previous administrations, has consistently followed established protocols in contractor selection. MCM (Magnum Construction Management) has undergone significant restructuring since the FIU incident and continues to hold numerous contracts with Miami-Dade County, including other bridge projects within our village.”
Oral Arguments are scheduled to be heard by the Third District Court of Appeal on Oct. 1.
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