FORT LAUDERDALE | Wave Streetcar

[UrbanImpact]

Finally some good transportation news.

[South Florida]

Originally Posted by ftlauddude

Yes! And there's also a project called SunPort which will connect FLL with PE. Somewhere in that airport area is where the MIC is planned. So far, The Wave is planned to reach Broward General Hospital on Phase I. Let's just hope this continues to move along...The route will need way more density though...specially on 3rd AVE

If it took this long to build Miami Intermodal Center, it will take an eternity to build Ft.Lauderdale's Hub.

Maybe all Aboard Florida (FEC Private rail) will help that.

[Bobdreamz]

Good news for Ft. Lauderdale but why is this so expensive? $140 million for a 2.7 mile system seems rather high for a streetcar system. That's about $51..8 million per mile!

[ftlauddude]

Originally Posted by Bobdreamz

Good news for Ft. Lauderdale but why is this so expensive? $140 million for a 2.7 mile system seems rather high for a streetcar system. That's about $51..8 million per mile!

That includes design, procurement of the street cars, constructions, plus inspections fees....

[mr jones]

Also a cost goes to retrofitting 3rd Ave New River draw bridge.

[ftlauddude]

The press release....

Wave Streetcar $18 Million Grant Achieved Through Regional Partnership

The Wave Streetcar Project was awarded an $18 million transportation TIGER grant from the Federal Transit Administration yesterday. The Office of U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) announced the good news after U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood informed her of the funding. This project has been the work of a regional team of partners that includes the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) project sponsor, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (Broward MPO), Broward County, Broward County Transit (BCT), the City of Fort Lauderdale, and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The Wave is viewed as an important next step in creating a regional transit framework that will greatly enhance the economic development, livability, and environment of South Florida.

An initial project of the DDA, the Wave has grown to the strong partnership of aforementioned governments and agencies. Acting as a project sponsor, SFRTA will administer the grant, which will help fund the first phase of the project that will eventually have streetcars running along a 2.7-mile corridor in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. SFRTA will also lead the design and construction efforts, with an anticipated opening in late 2015.

Kristin Jacobs, Chair of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority and Vice Mayor of Broward County said, “I am very excited about the future of Broward County with the Wave Streetcar. Creating a sustainable community through transit options and being environmentally responsible have long been among my priorities. This project exemplifies what can result when federal, state, and local governments and agencies partner together for the good of the community. Without the generous support of the Federal Transit Administration and the collaboration of the Florida Department of Transportation, Broward County, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, Downtown Development Authority, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County Transit, this project would not have come to fruition. We look forward to not only this first phase but to the successful expansion of this system to the west to bring in our sister cities with more choices for mass transit in the future.”

The Broward MPO’s Executive Director, Gregory Stuart commented, “The Wave streetcar will enhance existing transportation choices, radiating out from the Broward MPOs first (funded) mobility hub; the Gateway hub itself is a multi-block location that offers private developers the opportunity to build in a location where multiple boarding’s and alighting’s will occur. The Wave streetcar is a critical starting point for implementing the MPO Board’s vision, to transform transportation options in and around Broward County.”

“The Wave Streetcar is a key investment in the future of the City of Fort Lauderdale," said Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler. “It will provide enhanced mobility and connectivity throughout our downtown, stimulate economic development, and promote long-term sustainability by offering a quick, convenient and environmentally-friendly public transportation alternative.”

“I believe this is taking our downtown to the next level. This type of infrastructure investment will increase private development by six-fold in and around our downtown. It will lead to improvements such as new housing, fun and exciting shops, boutiques, and galleries. This investment will further eliminate our blighted empty lots, improve drainage, and create a vast system of pedestrian improvements with sidewalks, shade trees, street lighting, and crosswalks,” said DDA Executive Director, Chris Wren.

http://www.ddaftl.org/view/pdf/WaveTIGER4pr.pdf

[CF221]

PARTYYYY!!!! Miami is waaaaay behind when it comes to the use of streetcar. Fort Lauderdale sets the example!

[mr jones]

Environmental Assessment - http://www.ddaftl.org/view/pdf/WaveAAEA.pdf [30MB PDF]

[ftlauddude]

Originally Posted by mr jones

Environmental Assessment - http://www.ddaftl.org/view/pdf/WaveAAEA.pdf [30MB PDF]

Let's show support! Public hearing to discuss it next Monday, July 30, 2012.

[ftlauddude]

Some of the stations in Flagler Village:

http://arausa.listinglab.com/one20fo...cfm?doLDPage=1

[mr jones]

Updated the first page with public hearing presentation link and the latest timeline.

Did anyone go to the public hearing?

[ftlauddude]

Updates from the DDA (some are old but it's still good to show so could we see the progress achieved this summer):

From June:
..."Mrs. Van Zandt said after six years, they found out yesterday that they have received approval from the FTA on the Alternative Analysis and Environmental Assessment. She said the next step is to schedule a Public Hearing, Advertise and receive public comments. Mrs. Van Zandt said they haven’t heard anything yet on the Tiger Grant for $18 million and that Chris Wren and John Milledge are in Washington on this issue. She said they will be developing an Interlocal Agreement which will define roles and responsibilities and will take that before the various Commissions in September or October. She said Barbara Handrahan of RTA is working on the scope for the next phase. Ms. Handrahan mentioned a bid will be issued for the end of the calendar year. Mrs. Van Zandt said with reference to the JDI Project, the City, along with transit partners will be looking to issue a bid in November for a public/private partnership on City owned properties north of Broward. She said when she has more information, she will bring it to the Board. She mentioned that the DDA is hosting the9/27 Chamber Breakfast at the Tower Club where Greg Stuart will be speaking and she said the Board will be invited to attend..."

From June (special):
"...Chairman Durden called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Roll call was taken. Chairman Durden asked Mr. Wren for an update. Mr. Wren announced that after 10 years of working on the Wave Streetcar project, that Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz called indicating we received our full $18 million TIGER IV grant request. He asked the Board to clear their calendars for a press conference set up for Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. He said this is the first of two funding asks submitted to the Federal Government. He added that all 31 cities (through the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization) voted unanimously in support. Mr. Wren said the next step is that the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) will issue a bid to hire a designer for project development (design). He said the other funding ask is the Small Starts application. He added that within 60 days more or less they should be receiving additional news relating to this. He said they will be working on the assessment which must go before the City Commission. He said the City needs to hold Public Hearings. Mr. Sterling interjected and said the only vote needed is from the City Commission and explained further.

Mr. Milledge urged the Board to think about what the next extension should be and after discussion the Board agreed it should be the airport. Mr. Wren added that there could be another suggested route linking midtown since a huge supporter of the Wave Streetcar has also been from Congressman Alcee Hastings and Commissioner Bobbi Dubose, and both have talked about this. Mr. Weymouth asked for a schedule of what is anticipated and Mr. Wren said he would compile an overview with steps and timing..."

From July:
"...Mr. Wren summarized the recent success with the federal TIGER IV grant award of $18 million. He said they are preparing for the local assessment. He continued that the project team had a meeting recently with FTA for additional funds and that he will provide more information in August..."

From August:
"...Mr. Wren said the deadline is Friday for the Small Starts Application. He said they have two requests in to the Federal Government. He said they were approved for an $18 million Tiger Grant and the remaining half of the Federal money will come through Small Starts and explained further. He said they are setting up a meeting in D.C. for the end of the month..."

[Peteralt]

This is my first post here in this forum. I've been following the developments in transit for South Florida since the creation Tri-Rail. I am a bit disagreeable with the plans for Ft. Lauderdale. There are literally several systems on the drawing boards. Each is being built by different agencies or government branches. Each will use its own method of technology and rights of way.

On the drawing boards are an airport to seaport peoplemover, the WAVE streetcar, the FEC line ("All Aboard Florida" and the Tri-Rail expansion plan), an east-west connector, and the county's light rail or BRT service plans.

Would it just make sense to use the peoplemover project as a jumping off point? If all projects became peoplemover projects, rights of way could be shared, saving some redundancy, especially with the WAVE streetcar and the link connecting the FEC tracks to the current Tri-Rail tracks.

If the Ft. Lauderdale projects were to all merge with the ports' peoplemover as a single comprehensive project, funds could also be saved since only one maintainence facility would be required, less required rolling stock, and less infrastructure because of elimination of redundancy where the systems would otherwise overlap.

Am I right?

[Andyxox]

Originally Posted by Peteralt

This is my first post here in this forum. I've been following the developments in transit for South Florida since the creation Tri-Rail. I am a bit disagreeable with the plans for Ft. Lauderdale. There are literally several systems on the drawing boards. Each is being built by different agencies or government branches. Each will use its own method of technology and rights of way.

On the drawing boards are an airport to seaport peoplemover, the WAVE streetcar, the FEC line ("All Aboard Florida" and the Tri-Rail expansion plan), an east-west connector, and the county's light rail or BRT service plans.

Would it just make sense to use the peoplemover project as a jumping off point? If all projects became peoplemover projects, rights of way could be shared, saving some redundancy, especially with the WAVE streetcar and the link connecting the FEC tracks to the current Tri-Rail tracks.

If the Ft. Lauderdale projects were to all merge with the ports' peoplemover as a single comprehensive project, funds could also be saved since only one maintainence facility would be required, less required rolling stock, and less infrastructure because of elimination of redundancy where the systems would otherwise overlap.

Am I right?

Welcome to the forum!

You're right that projects would be more cohesive, overlap less, and ultimately cost less if they all used the same technology, but unfortunately each of the different transit projects you mentioned are headed by different transit agencies. As we've been discussing on another forum, the best thing for transit for South Florida would be to combine all local transit agencies into one regional transit agency. Then the one regional transit agency would be able to plan and coordinate all transit projects to make sure there is no overlap or waste. All major metropolitan areas with extensive transit systems run under one regional transit agency, and this is something South Florida lacks.

Also, what may be good for one area may not be as efficient for another. You say that the people mover project should be the jumping off point, I am assuming you mean that all projects should use the people mover technology. The people mover is the technology used at the MIA - MIA Central Station line, and the 3 lines of the Metromover in Downtown Miami. While this technology is good for short distances, it would not be suitable for long-distance transit such as the E/W Central Broward Line (~10 miles) or the FEC Corridor (~70 miles!). In these instances, more robust transit such as light rail and commuter rail is needed.

[CalleOchoGringo]

Yeah but you see... that would require logic and forethought... this is South Florida... how dare you introduce those northern US concepts to our banana republic! A properly run banana republic should be unable to fund any of these things anyway because it should be under constant federal indictment for corruption and theft of public funds.

I see Broward is slowly learning the ways of the master (Dade Country). Before long they will be able to teach us a thing or 2 about ineptitude and waste at every level of government!

[ftlauddude]

Update from the DDA:

From September: "...Mr. Wren said the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) will go out to BID for a project management consultant soon and that he will represent the DDA on the selection committee..."

http://www.ddaftl.org/view/pdf/Minutes/September.pdf

[Peteralt]

Originally Posted by Andyxox

Welcome to the forum!

You're right that projects would be more cohesive, overlap less, and ultimately cost less if they all used the same technology, but unfortunately each of the different transit projects you mentioned are headed by different transit agencies. As we've been discussing on another forum, the best thing for transit for South Florida would be to combine all local transit agencies into one regional transit agency. Then the one regional transit agency would be able to plan and coordinate all transit projects to make sure there is no overlap or waste. All major metropolitan areas with extensive transit systems run under one regional transit agency, and this is something South Florida lacks.

Also, what may be good for one area may not be as efficient for another. You say that the people mover project should be the jumping off point, I am assuming you mean that all projects should use the people mover technology. The people mover is the technology used at the MIA - MIA Central Station line, and the 3 lines of the Metromover in Downtown Miami. While this technology is good for short distances, it would not be suitable for long-distance transit such as the E/W Central Broward Line (~10 miles) or the FEC Corridor (~70 miles!). In these instances, more robust transit such as light rail and commuter rail is needed.

I raise this because I actually looked at the reports produced by the Port of Ft Lauderdale about their ongoing studies of their peoplemover system. The study found that they couldn't use the most efficient and logical rights of way of a proposed route because the Broward County light rail plans on using the main spine of that right of way. That's when I started thinking.

First, peoplemover technology can go up to high speeds. It's all up to the rolling stock and the system programming. A high tech PRT system can even share the same rights of way and tracks, since both systems are programmed and centrally controlled by a computer. So, in theory, you can have different services for different needs sharing tracks and rights of way.

Second, the FEC tracks is something outside the scope of what I'm talking about. For those tracks, including Tri-Rail, we need to electrify them and ditch the diesel locomotive. Did you know much of the cost of the fuel is for pulling the weight of the fuel required and the locomotive car? (Not to mention the obvious environmental issues)

If the FEC line is used, we should use the current Tri-Rail tracks for express service and GRADE SEPARATE where road crossings still remain!

Back to the Ft. Lauderdale systems... The Wave streetcar route would be a perfect extension to the Port's peoplemover. So would the east-west connector, and possibly some of the light rail routes. As planned, the Port's peoplemover would already be one of the world's biggest peoplemover systems. Why not make it the world's biggest. It would be a gem of achievement - something Broward County could brag about and be proud of!

Finally, I want to talk a little about Miami. It would be smart if they built a peoplemover pathway on a second level under the current Metrorail viaduct. This has already been done in downtown Miami with the Metromover and Metrorail, sharing the same viaduct support beams on two levels. This way, the MIA Mover and the Metromover could be a single contiguous system. The Port of Miami is currently studying extending Metromover to the Port. My idea would allow non-stop service from the Port of Miami to MIA.

One more thing. I understand your point about different agencies. This could be dealt with by a simple county ordinance forcing standardization and interoperability between systems. Such an ordinance not only would solve that problem, while allowing the many agencies to continue doing business independently, but would also allow for privately built and financed track segments to "tap into" and added to the system!

[theEmbarcadero]

Originally Posted by Peteralt

I raise this because I actually looked at the reports produced by the Port of Ft Lauderdale about their ongoing studies of their peoplemover system. The study found that they couldn't use the most efficient and logical rights of way of a proposed route because the Broward County light rail plans on using the main spine of that right of way. That's when I started thinking.

First, peoplemover technology can go up to high speeds. It's all up to the rolling stock and the system programming. A high tech PRT system can even share the same rights of way and tracks, since both systems are programmed and centrally controlled by a computer. So, in theory, you can have different services for different needs sharing tracks and rights of way.

Second, the FEC tracks is something outside the scope of what I'm talking about. For those tracks, including Tri-Rail, we need to electrify them and ditch the diesel locomotive. Did you know much of the cost of the fuel is for pulling the weight of the fuel required and the locomotive car? (Not to mention the obvious environmental issues)

If the FEC line is used, we should use the current Tri-Rail tracks for express service and GRADE SEPARATE where road crossings still remain!

Back to the Ft. Lauderdale systems... The Wave streetcar route would be a perfect extension to the Port's peoplemover. So would the east-west connector, and possibly some of the light rail routes. As planned, the Port's peoplemover would already be one of the world's biggest peoplemover systems. Why not make it the world'a biggest. It would be a gem of achievement - something Broward County could brag about and be proud of!

Finally, I want to talk a little about Miami. It would be smart if they built a peoplemover pathway on a second level under the current Metrorail viaduct. This has already been done in downtown Miami with the Metromover and Metrorail, sharing the same viaduct support beams on two levels. This way, the MIA Mover and the Metromover could be a single contiguous system. The Port of Miami is currently studying extending Metromover to the Port. My idea would allow non-stop service from the Port of Miami to MIA.

One more thing. I understand your point about different agencies. This could be dealt with by a simple county ordinance forcing standardization and interoperability between systems. Such an ordinance not only would solve that problem, while allowing the many agencies to continue doing business independently, but would also allow for privately built and financed track segments to "tap into" and added to the system!

props for the Miami comments.....ditch the cars and enjoy the rails...!!!!!!!

[Peteralt]

Originally Posted by theEmbarcadero

props for the Miami comments.....ditch the cars and enjoy the rails...!!!!!!!

Ultimately, for Miami, I would like to see Metromover extended to South Beach. All it has to do is cross the Intercoastal from Bicentennial Park (at the current Metromover station) along the MacArthur Causeway, stopping at Alton Road, Washington Avenue, and ending at a looped station directly on the beach. Believe it or not, this is such an incredibly short distance for such a value-added expansion of the system. The owners of the mega developments being planned and the city should get together and figure out how to finance construction!

[CF221]

I think that raised metromover structure is very ugly. I doubt Miami Beach would be happy at having such a structure on their streets.