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Miami Lakes highlights Palmetto turn-lane, 59th Avenue and Safe Routes projects
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Summary
Public‑works staff outlined recently completed pedestrian projects, a Palmetto turn‑lane expansion due in weeks, a state appropriation for a new turn lane and early-stage planning for Northwest 59th Avenue, and said many capital projects rely on grants and appropriations.
Town staff used the town hall to detail projects intended to ease congestion and improve walking and biking access across Miami Lakes.
Public Works Director Omar Santos listed completed pedestrian and bicycle improvements, including a new shared-use path on Northwest 60th Avenue and Safe Routes to School work at Miami Lakeway North/South and the Bob Graham Education Center. He said those Safe Routes projects improved crosswalk visibility, sidewalks and ramps, and were completed over the past two years.
Santos said a Palmetto underpass turn-lane expansion (westbound onto the southbound Palmetto) is near completion and expected to open within two months, and the town recently received a state appropriation for a new turn lane at 154 and 177th Court that is entering design scope negotiations. "We're expecting that to be completed within the next 2 months," Santos said of the Palmetto turn-lane work. He added that the 154/177th project is at the work-order negotiation stage and must account for a canal crossing.
The town also described progress on the Northwest 59th Avenue project: the town purchased property for the alignment, demolition is about 50% complete and roadway design and permitting remain to be finished before construction. Staff said permits and design work are ongoing and that the town is pushing to start construction as soon as feasible.
Manager Peterman reminded listeners that capital improvements often depend on outside funding. He said the town funds drainage projects through a stormwater fee that appears on water bills and that most roadway capital relies on grants and appropriations from state and federal sources; he noted one federal appropriation referenced at the meeting included $1,000,000 for drainage.
Staff asked residents with specific neighborhood traffic concerns to participate in Vision Zero and the transportation master plan process; consultants are collecting input that staff will forward to county and state partners. The meeting closed with staff committing to continue design work, coordinate permits, and report progress to the council and public.
