FDOT project for University Drive in Pembroke Pines grows in cost and adds protected bike/pedestrian paths

The Florida Department of Transportation presented a redesign of University Drive to the Pembroke Pines City Commission on May 21, 2025, saying the project will widen pedestrian and bicycle facilities, replace signals and pursue drainage work along the corridor between North of Pembroke Road and North of Johnson Street.

The project matters because University Drive is a major multi-modal corridor in Pembroke Pines; the FDOT presentation described structural work in the canal right-of-way, new shared-use paths and a substantially higher project cost that will be paid through state and MPO funding.

Godfrey Lamptey, a consultant for Golar Associates, told the commission, "So basically, this project is the University Drive project spanning from approximately the from North Of Pembroke Road all the way to North Of Johnson Street within the city of Pembroke Pines." Lance Jones, the FDOT project manager, identified himself: "I'm the FDOT, Florida Department of Transportation project manager for this project." Lamptey described the preferred cross section as replacing 6-foot sidewalks with 10-foot shared-use paths to give bicyclists and pedestrians separated space where possible.

FDOT said the corridor is currently three 11-foot travel lanes in each direction with raised median, existing 4-foot bicycle lanes on the southern segment and no bike lanes north of Pines Boulevard. The selected alternative adds a 10-foot shared-use path on both sides for the segment north of Pines Boulevard and a single-sided shared path north of Pembroke Road where pedestrian demand is lower, while keeping three vehicle lanes in each direction. The presentation said the project will also include new bus shelters, upgraded pedestrian signal equipment, LED lighting coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration near North Perry Airport, and new high-emphasis crosswalk markings at signalized intersections.

Lamptey and FDOT staff flagged drainage and permitting as drivers of the cost increase: the design required additional retaining walls and deeper dredging in the canal adjacent to the corridor to restore conveyance capacity. Lamptey said the project estimate rose from earlier figures, and showed an original estimate of roughly $25,404,083 and later figures discussed in the presentation near $41 million–$42.5 million. He explained those increases with rising material prices, the need for riprap and deeper retaining-wall foundations once the canal excavation increased, and permit-driven work with the drainage district.

On schedule, FDOT said design is complete, the project will be packaged for bidding at the central FDOT office and letting is scheduled for August 2025; FDOT staff estimated contractor mobilization 4–6 months after award and overall construction of roughly two to three years. Commissioners asked for clearer communications to residents about timing and traffic impacts; FDOT staff said contractors typically propose traffic-control phasing subject to FDOT review and that the agency will coordinate public notices. Commissioner Rodriguez and others emphasized early outreach around school bus schedules, lighting design and signal timing to reduce jaywalking and congestion at major cross streets.

No vote or local action was required by the commission at the May 21 meeting; the item was a presentation from FDOT and consultants. FDOT staff invited further questions and provided contact information for Lance Jones, the FDOT project manager, for follow-up.

Ending: FDOT’s design will move to advertising and competitive bid in August 2025; construction is expected to start after contractor mobilization later in 2025 and take approximately two to three years once underway. The commission asked staff to ensure FDOT coordinates public notices, signal retiming and local lighting and transit-shelter connections before construction begins.