COLLINS CORRIDOR PROJECT STUDY
(Collins Ave. from 41st to 63rd Streets) 
Please CLICK HERE for information and more details regarding the "COLLINS CORRIDOR PROJECT STUDY."
February 3, 2022 PUBLIC MEETING - FDOT Collins Avenue Planning Study for 41st thru 63rd street 
Please view the FDOT's video and slideshow of photos taken by the MBNA during FDOT's first "Walking Audit" that took place on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.  Our next "Walking Audit" will take place on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.  Please see detailed information and Registration Form below.
​PLEASE CLICK HERE for a VIDEO with details of the WALKING AUDITS.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is evaluating and planning for a multimodal improvement project along State Road (SR) A1A/ Collins Avenue from W 41 Street to W 63 Street, in the City of Miami Beach, Florida.  As part of the initial phase of the Study, the FDOT is coordinating two  "Walking Audits" that will take place on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 and Wednesday, May 19, 2021, so that stakeholders can join City and FDOT Officials and Agents/Consultant Staff on a walk through Collins Avenue, 

Please view Dan Hardy's video below for more information regarding the Walking Audits.  Also, it's important for the FDOT to receive Resident input on this important study so please click on the pink "MAP IT" icon below and follow the simple instructions. This is best way for Residents to provide input and share ideas and concerns directly on the locations and/or areas of interest to them.
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"WALKING AUDIT" DATES:
  • Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
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MEETING LOCATIONS and TIMES:  
  • LOCATION A:
4500 Block of Collins Ave. (on southwest corner of parking lot next to bus stop close to the Eden Roc Hotel)
TIMES:
May 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
-OR-
May 19, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
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  • LOCATION B:
5300 Block of Collins Ave. (on southwest corner of the lot closest to the Imperial House by traffic signal pole)
TIMES:
May 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
-OR-
May 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Link with photo of EXACT MEETING LOCATION
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MAP of WALK:  See proposed Route Map below
All participants are required to register online in advance. 
​Please click on link below to register ASAP: 
​WALKING AUDIT REGISTRATION PAGE 
Purpose and Need:
The purpose of the study is to identify, develop, and evaluate multimodal improvements addressing existing and future mobility for all modes of travel including pedestrian, bicycle, motorists, and transit. This study will address the possibilities to repurpose the service road, improve walkability, increase the overall comfort for all users, and connect users within and beyond the study area.
The study deliverables include:
Throughout the study, the team will develop five technical memorandums each synthesizing a phase in the study. At the completion of the study, there will be a final report that will incorporate the five technical memorandums and a purpose and need statement for incorporation in a future potential Project Development and Environment study. 
Public Involvement Plan (PIP):
The following public involvement activities will take place throughout the study to inform Elected Officials, stakeholders and the public of the study and provide an opportunity for the community to be involved during the planning process. Details on the events will be provided at a later date. 
  • Presentations to the Commissioners of the City of Miami Beach
  • One-on-One Stakeholder Meetings
  • Project Advisory Team
  • Public Workshops 
The Collins Avenue Working Group will be meeting regularly and working closely with FDOT/CMB Officials on this project.   Below is the history of this project and links that provide more information. 
COLLINS CORRIDOR PROJECT HISTORY
In early 2008, Alicia Casanova, on behalf of the Residents of the Blue and Green Diamond Condominium, began corresponding with the FDOT regarding concerns about the lack of safety on the "Frontage Road" and the difficulties of making a legal u-turn to go south on Collins Ave.  A formal request was made for a southbound u-turn signal to be constructed on Collins Ave. and 49th Street.  Numerous subsequent emails and meetings took place to discuss the situation. 

On August 28, 2008, a group of residents met on site and took a 30-minute ride with Mr. Caldera and Mr. Meitin from the FDOT.  They witnessed the difficulties faced by both residents and tourists driving north on Collins that wished to go Southbound.  They understood that the traffic alterations made a few years before, including the new "Frontage Road"  were flawed.  They agreed to commence a study to determine how best to proceed.  Numerous email exchanges continued with then FDOT Secretary Gus Pego and CMB Mayor Matti Bower.  Several meetings with CMB Transportation Officials took place at City Hall.  The result of these efforts was that the study didn't merit any changes other other than moving a bus stop and blocking the existing legal u-turns with plastic stanchion dividers so that vehicles would have no alternative but to use the frontage road to make a left on 50th Street with a green arrow light.  

​On March, 2018, the MBNA was formed.  One of the primary purposes was to unite our condos and hotels in order to find a solution for the problems faced daily on SR A1A/Collins Ave. from the 4100 to the 6300 block.  

On May 13, 2017, three members of the MBNA Board of Directors met with FDOT and CMB Officials at the Conference Room of The Diamonds.  Here they were presented with maps and their ideas for a proposal for this project.  (Below are photos/videos taken during this meeting.) 

On March 14, 2018, the FDOT coordinated a Public Hearing at the Shane Center Miami Beach.  At this meeting a slide show was presented with the proposed design for a safety roadway project along SR A1A/Collins Ave. from the 4700 to the 5800 block.  They stated they had concluded their study and determined that the majority of accidents were caused as a result of vehicles turning on the Frontage Road.  They reported that their Study merited this project and that construction was expected to begin in Aril 2023 and last  2+ years.  The estimated construction costs for this project was approximately $17.4 million.  During the Q & A, dozens of neighbors attending the meeting spoke up and objected strongly to the design since it resulted in a reduction of  10 pedestrian crossings and eliminated vehicular entrance to several condo communities.  A few months after this meeting, CMB Transportation Dept. agreed that the project would not be beneficial for the community.  CMB Mayor Dan Gelber sent a letter to the FDOT requesting the project to be put ON HOLD.

In 2020, the MBNA was informed that the project was back on track and that they would be working with us to commence a new Study.  

At the September 2, 2020 MBNA Meeting, the FDOT presented the  slideshow below which explains the process and serves as their initial community outreach.  The MBNA agreed to work closely with FDOT in the months/years ahead to prioritize this project so that this important MidBeach artery can be re-built taking into consideration the safety and needs of its residents and primary users. 

On December 15, 2020,  FDOT, District Six, formed a new PROJECT ADVISORY TEAM (PAT) for this project and emailed invitations to volunteer participants that have shown interested in this project in the past. Members were subsequently selected.  The first PAT meeting is expected to take place in February, 2021.  At this meeting the PAT will be provided with context on the project’s scope and existing conditions, share preliminary results of public engagement efforts, and collect initial feedback from PAT members about the study area and related projects that may impact the Study. 

2021 UPDATE: 
​We are communicating regularly with the group assigned to work on the study for this massive project.  They are in the process of  creating Wikimaps, links on the FDOT website, online surveys, and other tools to facilitate community outreach. They will  organizing the PAT meetings and have agreed to attend the monthly MBNA Meetings in order to provide members with updated information.    The MBNA's "Collins Ave. Corridor Working Group" Chair, Alicia Casanova, will be representing the MBNA as a PAT Member.  Updated information will be posted on this website on a regular basis.​
May 13, 2017 MEETING WITH FDOT and CMB OFFICIALS:

Email: [email protected]

Midbeach neighborhood association, inc.

Photo from Anthony Quintano