Miami Beach presents traffic study to seek permanent permit for one-way Ocean Drive; residents and businesses raise safety and economic concerns

City of Miami Beach transportation officials and consultants on June 17 presented a traffic impact evaluation to Miami‑Dade County seeking permanent approval of the current one‑way southbound vehicle configuration and a bidirectional protected bicycle lane on Ocean Drive. The study concluded the lane repurposing produced no adverse traffic impacts at analyzed intersections and in many cases improved side‑street operations.

The presentation, led by Assistant Director Julio Rodriguez of the Transportation and Mobility Department and Jenna Martinetti of Calvin Giordano & Associates, summarized an 800‑page traffic study submitted to Miami‑Dade County as part of a permitting process required under Section 334.61 of the Florida Statutes. Rodriguez said the study compares the 2019 two‑way configuration to the current one‑way configuration and that Miami‑Dade County has conditioned approval while the city pursues permanent permitting.

The study focused on traffic engineering metrics such as intersection delay and level of service during noon and evening peak hours. Martinetti said the analysis found “no negative impacts to the vehicular flow on Ocean Drive or the surrounding intersections,” and that the one‑way layout reduced vehicle conflicts by eliminating opposing left‑turn movements. The presentation also noted the protected bicycle lane…