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Design work advances on NW 50th Avenue bridge project; Caterpillar site demolition scheduled but timelines and permitting remain
Summary
Town staff reported progress resolving a permit conflict with South Florida Water Management District and said a Caterpillar property demolition is scheduled for late 2026; councilors pressed for faster pace and clearer schedule for grant-closeout milestones.
Town infrastructure staff updated the Town Council on progress for the long-running Northwest 50th Avenue (50 Ninth Avenue) roadway-and-bridge project and related property impacts, including planned demolition of structures on the Caterpillar property.
Director Santos said a request from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) had asked for an access ramp that conflicted with an adjacent property; SFWMD agreed to eliminate that ramp after one-on-one meetings so the northern design can proceed without that impact. Santos said design work is progressing (roadway and structure design at partial completion stages) and that the project schedule estimates construction start in 2027 and grant closeout in 2029, with demolition of the Caterpillar structure currently estimated in spring 2026.
Council members repeatedly pressed staff for faster timelines, questioned delays linked to procurement and bonding for related demolition work and asked whether contractor bonding issues cost the town schedule. Director Santos and the town manager described a recent procurement episode in which the apparent low bidder could not obtain the required bond and the town subsequently awarded to the next lowest responsible bidder after confirming surety letters. Council members pressed staff to detect these problems earlier so the town does not lose weeks in switching bidders.
Council members also asked about the Canal Bank phase 1 evaluation and were told a second draft has been returned to staff for review and the final report should be distributed soon. Council members urged the manager and staff to accelerate outreach to Caterpillar and to set firm timelines for permitting and demolition so the project stays on the critical path.
No final action was taken; staff said they will return with updates as designs and permits advance.
