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Committee approves property acquisition for 159th Street widening; officials say design will finish this year, construction aimed for 2026
Summary
The committee approved acquisition of property from the City of North Miami Beach needed for a widening project on 159th Street. County staff said the segment is at 60% design, the acquisition is not in a residential area, and construction could begin in 2026.
The Miami‑Dade County Transportation Committee approved an item to acquire property from the City of North Miami Beach to support a widening project on 159th Street between NE 6th Avenue and Harriet Tubman Boulevard.
Commissioner Kavishida Bastien, who pulled the item for questions, asked for specifics of the project and whether the acquisition affects residential properties. Joshua Diaz, deputy director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, said the county is acquiring a single property or a portion of a property in front of the North Miami Beach water plant and that “this one is not in a residential area.” Diaz described the broader project as proposing a five‑lane typical section along portions of the corridor and said staff are revalidating the proposed cross section because residents voiced concerns about widening in nearby residential segments.
Diaz said staff plan to finish design by the end of the year for this segment, which is currently at about 60% design completion, and that construction could commence in 2026. He also described steps the department will take to address resident concerns, including further traffic validation, incorporation of context‑sensitive design and traffic calming measures, and an upcoming public meeting to present revised options.
Commissioner Bermudez and others raised safety concerns about nearby road segments (including Northwest 120th Street and Palmetto ramp approaches) and asked the department to work with state agencies on expedited safety projects. Diaz said the ultimate safety improvements at those intersections likely require redesigns and that the county would seek to expedite work where possible.
The committee voted to approve the acquisition item after discussion; no amendments were added. Staff said the county will commence appraisal and acquisition work after commission approval and will return to the public with updated designs and data.
The committee recorded no specific acquisition price during the discussion.
