MDX hosted a historic groundbreaking Jan. 23 signifying the start of construction of the Dolphin Station Park and Ride Transit Terminal Facility – a result of a unique partnership between MDX, Miami-Dade County, and the Florida Department of Transportation.
The project, considered the first step of the S.M.A.R.T plan, features a 12 bus bays and 10 bus layover bays, Kiss and-Ride drop off areas, a transit hub with passenger waiting areas, a driver’s break lounge, and more than 800 parking spaces for commuters on 15 acres of public land north of NW 12th Street, just west of the Florida’s Turnpike (Homestead Extension). Construction is scheduled to be completed in December 2017.
The Dolphin Station will support Miami-Dade County’s SR 836/Dolphin Expressway Express Bus Service, and provide a terminus or stop for several local bus routes serving Dolphin Mall and the cities of Sweetwater and Doral. It will serve as a transit hub providing an alternative for potential transit riders from Doral, Sweetwater, and other residential areas of West Dade to major employment areas such as Miami InternationalAirport, the Health District, Downtown Miami, and the Brickell Financial District using the SR 836 Express Bus Service.
“What we want to do for the residents of Miami-Dade County is provide attractive options for those who wish to get out of their car to enjoy the convenience of public transportation – and this is one of those solutions,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez during
ceremonies.
“But if drivers do choose to stay in their cars, we are working hard with our partners to improve major intersections. Improving transit county-wide is a priority for me and the County Commission,” he added.
Miami-Dade County asked MDX to “fast track” the planning, design, and construction, while FDOT funded the planning and design development of the facility, and is sharing the $16.9 million construction price tag with the County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). MDX is the implementing agency for both the county and state by delivering the project. Once construction of Dolphin Station is completed in December 2017, the facility will be operated and maintained by Miami-Dade County.
“As the commissioner of the district, the Dolphin Station Park and Ride Transit Facility was a top priority for me, and I am excited to see it come to fruition,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, who sponsored the legislation authorizing the agreement with MDX and FDOT. “This vital project will serve as a viable alternative to west Miami-Dade commuters, especially those in District 12.”
MDX Chairman Louis Martinez also shared remarks at the event, noting that MDX was created in part with the purpose of reinvesting its revenue to improve Miami-Dade County’s transportation challenges. “And I’ll be the first to admit that fixing the community’s congestion issues is not a task that can be done alone. While I’m very proud of the work MDX is doing, collaborating with other transportations agencies is the only way to serve the millions of commuters in Miami-Dade,” he said.
This joint project falls directly within the parameters established by the current MDX Strategic Master Plan that serves to redefine MDX as a transportation agency, one
which – in partnership with other agencies and municipalities – is providing alternative choices to travel. MDX is presently looking at technology and preparing for a future that is coming sooner than ever imagined. That future includes driverless and interconnected vehicles that will be transferring at hubs within our community.
The MDX Strategic Master Plan, entitled “Thinking Forward,” is rooted in core principles to improve transportation by introducing technology and new approaches to mobility, as well as by investing in key elements of infrastructure. It is no longer about building roads and moving vehicles.
The MDX Strategic Master Plan can be found at www.mdxway.com. All ideas and concepts will be vetted and evaluated through the process of planning, design, delivery, and financing – so essentially, it is a roadmap that looks ahead at the community’s needs and MDX’s role in partnership with other agencies to address these needs.
In other MDX news, open enrollment for the 2017 Frequent Driver Reward Program kicked off Jan. 11. Already, MDX is reporting very healthy enrollment figures for this year’s program, which serves as a testament to the popularity of this money-saving idea. By early February, more than 57,000 account holders had already registered with 94,000 transponders.
MDX introduced the program to share the savings from their operational efficiencies with customers who qualify – which is a fairly easy thing to do. Frequent drivers of the five local MDX expressways with a SunPass account in good standing and who spend at least $100 a year on tolls are invited to earn cash back simply by registering online at www.mdxway.com frequentdriver. Enrollment continues through March 31.
Most drivers who participated in 2016 got a year-end check averaging $100 – so register now.
