The 1.5-mile $16M South Bayshore Drive project presents an opportunity to satisfy the needs for safety, transportation and recreational access of diverse user communities. In the face of disputes about the design of the project, there’s a way to make it a big win for Miami-Dade County.
Two design options have been presented for walkers and cyclists: (A) unprotected, on-road bike lanes or (B) a separate multiple use path. But a much safer and more inclusive design option has been overlooked: (C) there is room for both bike lanes and a dedicated path. Narrower medians, left turn lanes and vehicle lanes can make this possible. County planners have made motor vehicle speed the highest priority, and that’s a big mistake.
South Bayshore Drive is a neighborhood street. It should not be an alternative to U.S. 1. It’s also a core component of Miami’s micromobility network and the Commodore Trail. Improvements to make the Commodore Trail a world-class regional asset are gaining strength and support from community leaders and residents. This is the time to do it right.
Choose Option C for the Commodore.
Friends of the Commodore Trail,
Hank Sanchez-Resnik and Mary Munroe Seabrook, Co-Founders
Mel Meinhardt, Chair
