“We need to work together and do what’s best for the whole city”…”We need a bridge between the Commission and the people”… The May 15 Sunny Isles Beach City Commission meeting provided a forum for a large turnout of residents to ask questions and express opinions “for and against” construction of a bridge proposed to connect North Bay Road between 172nd and 174th Streets.

During the meeting, a major debate revolved around the issue of whether the bridge (estimated to cost $3.5 million) should be open to pedestrians and emergency vehicles only – or if it should be a “permanent vehicular/ pedestrian bridge designed to enhance local mobility.”

After listening to nearly 60 speakers, ultimately the City Commission decided to increase the budget for funding further impact studies conducted by Marlin Engineering; and to discuss the bridge issue again at another meeting open to the public scheduled for August 21, 5:30 p.m. at Government Center.

The following summary highlights reports and comments made by members of the City Commission, city staff, residents and representatives as efforts were made to obtain input, information and build bridges of understanding between concerned parties:

Residents speaking ‘for and against’ the bridge

Pro: “The bridge is needed...[Support expressed by the] Police Chief and Fire Chief is enough for me…With [the potential for] fires, accidents, emergencies and [special] events, Collins [can be] practically closed. [The city will] soon have a school…we need to connect the south and north ends of the city with more than one artery.”

Con: According to Porto Bellagio property manager/board secretary Lisa Gray, over 200 people residing in the community signed a petition against a permanent vehicular bridge with one of their main concerns revolving around the bridge’s close proximity to their property lines. She asked, “How can [the City Commission] make a decision to change the bridge [to permanently open it to vehicles] when you don’t have the data to support it? [If the bridge is for emergency vehicles only] – [that’s] no problem at all.”

Pro: “I’m in favor of the bridge…I see the city developing and getting larger with more influx of tourists and residents. We need another access road in the city…Representatives of the city are here to [help] the people and not [out for] their own personal gain.”

Con: Jack Cohen, president of the Winston Towers Masters Association, sent the City Commission a memo stating: “We held a meeting of our board members and residents on May 12 to discuss this [bridge] issue…We came to the unanimous vote that the [Winston Towers] community opposes the bridge…He also proffered the suggestion, “Build the ‘emergency bridge’ - and in case you need to - open it…Nobody will say no if there’s an accident on Collins Avenue.”

Pro: “As a Winston Towers resident for 17 years, I have experienced the traffic pattern flows, gridlock and emergency situations on Collins Avenue and growth in our city throughout the years. I’m definitely in favor of this vehicular pedestrian bridge which will result in a secondary road needed for our citizens.”

Con: “People think about their convenience - but North Bay Road will become a ‘killer’ for kids walking on the bridge…Think about safety and not convenience…I remember the promise that it would be an emergency bridge only.”

Pro: “The best thing [the city could do] is build a bridge…It would be a good route for school buses…I don’t think the bridge will have 400,000 cars - only local people will probably know about it and use it.”

Con: “The bridge was originally planned for emergency vehicles only…Traffic will be horrendous…And there are concerns about motorists not restricting themselves to the ten miles per hour speed limit. There’s libel to be more accidents on the bridge than there are now.”

Pro: “Oceania [residents] want the bridge. It’s very important to relieve the traffic on Collins Avenue - both regularly and in an emergency…[The bridge] is the only solution available and you have our support one hundred percent.”

Con: “For Porto Bellagio residents, just trying to get out of the garage is a nightmare now.”

Pro: “There could be a traffic light put up by the garage a Porto Bellagio – I have confidence knowing that throughout the process the city will be going through, many of the concerns can be addressed with good planning.”

Con: “At Winston Towers, we gave [The Commission] the power to represent us…We have seven buildings…Arlen House has nothing to do with this bridge…it’s our backyard.”

Pro: “As an Arlen House resident and parent of two school-aged children, we have as much [right] to fairness and to have [better traffic] access…It took me four hours to get home [after the bus accident]. We can’t have a city with one access road.”

Con: “I understand we need a bridge to get fire and police vehicles back and forth when Collins is closed down – but I don’t see why we need to have a bridge open to all the traffic.”

Pro: “Approval of the bridge is essential to provide necessary [transit] flexibility due to the city’s growth.”

Con: “The bridge will bring down property values…We have a lot of kids on our streets who will walk to school…When we will have all this traffic on our street, how will the kids be safe?”

Pro: “The bridge will create easier access to the 163rd Street causeway and create an easier access to Town Center Park and [the new] Epicure market. It will be convenient for faster evacuation in case of a hurricane warning and also provides easier transportation and access to the new school without creating additional backups or gridlocks on Collins Avenue. It’s the right decision for the betterment of citizens - but most importantly, it will ultimately save lives.”

Con: “[With that kind of a turn on the bridge] I’m curious how emergency vehicles will transverse it? People try to take that turn now as fast as they can…If you put up a monitor, the average speed on that road is 40-50 miles per hour…I really think a traffic impact study should be done on North Bay Road before [a bridge is built] and could be used as a cut-through.”

Pro: “In keeping with concerns for the health, safety and security of our citizens, it’s vital for us to have a secondary roadway that will provide an alternative route to Collins Avenue. It’s truly inconceivable that our city should have only one north/south access. [The bridge would serve] a dual function…It’s vital in times of emergencies and will provide a solution to [promote] mobility throughout the city.”

Answers to Questions
While addressing questions posed by speakers about the bridge, City Manager John Szerlag and representatives from Marlin Engineering noted:

*The bridge would be designed to accommodate the weight of emergency vehicles; a ten mile per hour speed limit will be instituted; and the overall bridge design will be based on federal and state standards proven for safety.

*The bridge is intended to accommodate local traffic only; a traffic flow study is underway; and traffic calming devices will be included in the design.

*A proposed increase in the estimated cost of the bridge is needed to accommodate two-way traffic flow with pedestrian access.

*In terms of the noise issue, consultants will be asked to conduct a study and project what noise levels could emanate from the bridge [proposed to have an asphalt surface for minimal noise]. In regards to environmental impact, permitting agencies review and analyze the impact on ecological systems and marine life as well as noise and hydrocarbon levels.

*There would be a multi-purpose area sidewalk on one side of the bridge for bicycles and pedestrians.

*Regarding the Winston Towers seawall issue, [the city] contacted a contractor specializing in repairing seawalls, provided dimensions and clearance of the bridge, [and was informed the contractor] could traverse a barge under the bridge to repair the seawall.

Mayor Norman Edelcup
“This Commission is here everyday trying to make this city a better place,” said Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, expressing the sentiments of fellow Commission members. “I think we recognize all the information isn’t here tonight and that’s the purpose of moving this to another meeting [set for August 21, 5:30 p.m. at Government Center] to work with our [city staff and consultants as we contemplate amending] our Comprehensive Plan.

“We’re only [debating] at this point whether it [will be] an emergency bridge or full access bridge…Hopefully, between now and [August] we can get [more] information out to the public so they can have an opportunity to study materials before we meet again to come up with answers.

“We need to move forward on a positive basis to see how we can reach the goal that gives us a second [north/south access] road…We have to do what’s best for this entire community.”

City Manager John Szerlag:
“It is recommended that the City Commission consider the resolution establishing the necessity to construct a permanent vehicular bridge with pedestrian access over the canal at North Bay Road.” Szerlag wrote in a memorandum to the Commission. .

“As City Manager, my primary function is the protection of life and property within the corporate limits of Sunny Isles Beach. My recommendation to construct a permanent vehicular bridge with pedestrian access over the canal at North Bay road is in line with this charge. As you know, Collins Avenue is our only north/south route and it is much more than an inconvenience to the motoring public when we experience severe traffic backups on that street.

“It is a matter that affects the health and safety of each and every one of our residents and the numerous visitors that traverse through our city as it precludes our police department from being able to respond to life and or death situations in a timely manner. If we cannot respond, neither can fire rescue nor an ambulance.

“As I would like to give you a sense of scale on this matter the Police Department was instructed to ascertain from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue the number of alarm runs made for sick or injured persons in Sunny Isles Beach from May 1, 2006 through May 1, 2008. The answer is 4,518 - and this does not include private ambulance runs.

“This is a very high number and on average equates to over six runs per day or about one run every three hours and forty-five minutes on a continuing 24 hours per day/7 days per week basis.

“I believe the case has been made to construct this vehicular bridge. Now let me indicate why it should remain open as a vehicular bridge on a permanent basis:

1. Linking the two severed segments of North Bay Road with the bridge will provide alternative vehicular access essentially for residents living west of Collins Avenue and south of 183rd Street. Thus this bridge will primarily serve local residents of the city.

2. The physical constraints of the North Bay Road connection will restrict the function of this road so that it operates as a local street and not a major thoroughfare. The bridge will in no way replace Collins Avenue as the preferred route because of its reduced travel
speed and the installation of traffic calming devices.

3. The bridge will be a preferred and safer route for school children being bused or driven by their parents when compared to Collins Avenue.

“Should [the Commission] agree with this recommendation, then you may adopt the attached resolution which contains the following elements:

1. The focus has changed from a pedestrian bridge with emergency access to a permanent vehicular pedestrian bridge.

2. The bridge will still incorporate pedestrian amenities such as a bicycle walkway area protected by railings lighting and other architectural features.

3. The City Manager is authorized to construct this bridge, purchase any required right of ways and construct install traffic calming devices which may include but is not limited to traffic circles, speed humps, signage, traffic signalization and prohibition of large trucks excluding school buses.

4. The City Commission will schedule a public hearing in the near future for reason of amending the Comprehensive Plan to allow for a permanent vehicular pedestrian bridge that spans the canal at North Bay Road.

Police Chief Fred Maas

“The infrastructure of the interior roadways are insufficient and antiquated to the point that they are not capable of handling the diverted traffic off of Collins Avenue when that roadway is mandatorily shut down due to emergency,” Sunny Isles Beach Police Chief Fred Maas wrote in a memorandum to the Commission. “Insofar as there is no other north/ south route connecting the city, it is impossible for emergency vehicles to respond in a timely manner to locations in the city when Collins Avenue is shut down or has limited lanes open.

“Collins Avenue is additionally impacted by high volume because local residents, in many cases, must travel that thoroughfare to reach their destination regardless of how short a distance since there is no alternative north/south route.

“It is our position that an alternative north/south thoroughfare will not only save lives but be effective in traffic control…If [a bridge] creates an additional traffic outlet resource in the case of an emergency, it will help us…We will [support] whatever the governing body suggests [is best for the community].”

Miami-Dade Fire Department Chief Pedro Bass

“We run approximately six calls a day out of Station 10 in Sunny Isles Beach,” Miami-Dade Fire Department Chief Pedro Bass said while addressing the Commission. “If there’s a high-rise fire, it’s very difficult for us to stage our vehicles in a position where we can access a building in a timely manner.

“One of our biggest limitations is traffic on Collins Avenue…We’re strongly in favor of a bridge…We see it as an alternative [traffic route] and since we’re building a new station on 172nd Street, we believe [the bridge] will improve response times to Winston Towers, Marion Towers and communities west of Collins Avenue.

“We’ve put a lot of thought into this and don’t want to inconvenience residents - but from a life/safety standpoint, we believe this [bridge] would help us tremendously.”

City Planner Jack Luft

Jack Luft, the city planner who helped draft the Sunny Isles Beach Comprehensive Plan noted in a memorandum to the Commission, “I have reviewed [the City Manager’s] recommendation to construct a vehicular bridge over the canal at North Bay Road and offer the following comments:

“The issue was discussed and debated at length during the community workshops conducted for the preparation of the [Sunny Isles Beach] 2000 Comprehensive Plan prepared by this office. My initial recommendation as the planner engaged to prepare the plan was for a new vehicular bridge connecting the segments of North Bay Road north and south of the canal…This recommendation was based on several factors:

1. The only north south roadway linking neighborhoods north of 183rd Street to the central neighborhoods south of 183rd Street and those south of 172nd Street and south of Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard is Collins Avenue…The traffic segments of AlA between the south city limits and 183rd Street were operating in 1997 at levels of service E - one level above failing F. This was before the construction in the past decade of almost 10,000 new housing units - most of them abutting Collins Avenue. The recommendation to link the two severed segments of North Bay Road with a bridge was to provide alternative vehicular access to Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard and the mainland to the west for residents living west of Collins Avenue and south of 183rd Street.

2. The neighborhood between the canal at 172nd Street and 183rd Street has no direct access to either of the two hurricane evacuation routes on Lehman Causeway and Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard - except through Collins Avenue. In the event of storm surge preceding a hurricane, beach wash of sand and debris can easily block Collins Avenue as has occurred in the past in communities to the north and south. Blockage of Collins would trap residents within and block emergency vehicle access to this neighborhood.

3. The increasing incidences of vehicular traffic gridlock on Collins Avenue due to peak hour congestion, special events, accidents and emergency roadway and utility repair work have created significant periods during which police emergency fire rescue and medical evacuation vehicle access to the central area neighborhoods between 163rd Street and 183rd Streets are effectively blocked - endangering residents lives and property during those times.

4. The routine functioning of transit services including local shuttle buses and school buses is increasingly jeopardized as unforeseen delays due to congestion on Collins Avenue disrupts the regular and timely service expected of these carriers which effectively discourages public use. To the extent that public transit services are compromised, residents and visitors are induced to rely on greater use of private automobiles which in turn aggravates the congestion.

“The concerns of central neighborhood residents that opening another north south route along North Bay Road into and out of these neighborhoods would create increased traffic noise and hazards led to the modification of the plan language to provide a bridge for only bicycles and pedestrians.

“I believe this concern overstates the potential for traffic increases that would be noticeable primarily because North Bay Road effectively ends at 183rd Street where private property blocks access to the north and at Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard on the south making the mile length of North Bay Road too short to provide a
through traffic alternative to Collins Avenue.

“The number of internal vehicular trips added to North Bay Road from local residents would be even less than the typical one mile square urban neighborhood with collector streets bisecting it Greater Miami is laid out on a section line grid of arterial roadways spaced one mile apart This typical urban neighborhood has proven to be a stable and acceptable environment for local traffic movements consistent with safety and peaceable residential living conditions.

“The central neighborhoods of Sunny Isles Beach have effectively no east west traffic unlike most urban neighborhoods on a grid street layout and thus would have even less basis for concern about traffic intrusions. Any traffic intrusion issues that might arise however can be effectively dealt with through modest traffic calming measures.

“On balance, the first priority of local government is always to protect life and property and secondarily to maintain quality of life. The addition of a connector bridge on North Bay Road would offer substantial enhancements to the protection of residents’ health and welfare as well as mitigation of growing inconveniences of traffic delays through the use of an alternative access route.

“With the growth of the city and surrounding areas and consequent increasing burdens on Collins Avenue traffic conditions, the recommendation to provide alternative access and egress for central neighborhood residents is timely and of vital importance. I am in full support of your efforts.”