City outlines multi-phase Chrome Avenue and Flagler water, sewer and transit project starting April 2026
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Summary
City staff presented an FDA-funded multi-phase project to upsize water and sewer mains, rebuild roadways and add ADA-compliant sidewalks, bus shelters and landscaping along Chrome and Flagler avenues; construction is phased to limit disruption but will require full segment closures at times and community outreach.
City staff and consultants laid out a multi-project solicitation and construction plan for downtown infrastructure improvements that bundle Chrome Avenue water and sewer upgrades, transit-accessibility and roadway reconstruction with Flagler Avenue water and sewer work.
Public Works Director Kyra Kangas said the combined solicitation will cover three main phases so work does not need to be done multiple times: phase 1 targets Chrome Avenue water and sewer from Lucy Street to the busway; phase 2 continues Flagler Avenue improvements; phase 3 completes the transit-accessibility and roadway reconstruction through the busway to near 5th Street. Kangas said the work is intended to allow future development by upsizing sewer trunk lines (in many locations from 24" up toward 36") and replacing water mains from 8" to 12" to meet county standards.
The Federal Transit Administration (FDA) grant funds transit and accessibility work (sidewalks, bus shelters, lighting and drainage within the sidewalk footprint). Kangas said the design aims to make the entire sidewalk footprint ADA-compliant and to add bus shelters and planting. Staff proposed an expedited construction schedule to reduce prolonged disruption: contractors would be allowed multiple crews and limited night/weekend work; some central segments will require 24/7 closures but will maintain a minimum 5-foot pedestrian corridor to businesses.
Timeline and impacts: Staff showed an anticipated start in April 2026 for phase 1, with sequential phases continuing into 2027 and completion within the FTA performance period (through March 30, 2028). Staff warned that access to Pioneer Village will be impacted during intersection work for short periods (two to three weeks) and proposed temporary openings in a rear fence to preserve emergency and service access. Council asked staff to coordinate with Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue, hospital services and other agencies for alternate egress and to provide a parking plan for businesses during construction.
The council asked for follow-up material including an updated parking-diagram for removed spaces during construction, a communications/outreach plan for businesses, and confirmation that final design preserves downtown parking counts where possible. Staff said final parking counts in the historic district will be maintained in the design, with some temporary construction closures to be phased.