The Venetian Causeway is an arterial roadway under the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County (the “County”) that connects Miami Beach and mainland Miami. The intersection of Century Lane/Venetian Way/Island Avenue West on the Venetian Causeway provides access to the northern portion of Belle Isle for residents as well as employees and patrons of the Standard Hotel (Attachment A). The intersection currently has operational deficiencies due to its convoluted configuration and geometric constraints which often result in driver confusion while navigating the existing traffic island and vehicles blocking the intersection. 

On October 26, 2022, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2022-32373 (Attachment B) urging the County to work with the City of Miami Beach (“City”) on an evaluation and potential reconfiguration of the intersection of Century Lane/Venetian Way/Island Avenue West in Belle Isle to improve traffic circulation and operation at this location. 

In addition, on October 26, 2022, Commissioner Steven Meiner referred a discussion on the potential reconfiguration of the intersection of Century Lane/Venetian Way/Island Avenue West to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (“PSNQLC”).

Via letter dated October 31, 2022, the City Clerk transmitted a copy of Resolution No. 2022-32373 to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the Board of County Commissioners, and the Director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (“DTPW”).

Pursuant to Resolution No. 2022-32373, the Transportation and Mobility Department is currently working with DTPW on a potential reconfiguration to improve the intersection of Venetian Way/Century Lane/Island Avenue West.

On December 9, 2022, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Micky Steinberg, at the request of residents, coordinated an on-site meeting with Belle Isle residents, DTPW staff, City of Miami Beach Mayor’s Office staff, and City staff to observe the traffic operations occurring at this intersection first-hand and collaboratively discuss an action plan to address the operational challenges. At the conclusion of the meeting, County staff stated that they would meet internally and develop a preliminary design concept which would be shared with City staff and residents at a subsequent meeting for review and feedback. 

On February 15, 2023, County Commissioner Micky Steinberg coordinated a follow-up meeting with residents, DTPW staff, and Transportation and Mobility Department staff. During the meeting, DTPW staff shared a preliminary design concept to reconfigure the intersection and eliminate some of the conflicting vehicular movements that contribute to the traffic operational deficiencies at the intersection. The concept proposes a permanent closure to/from Island Avenue West and Venetian Way (both eastbound and westbound). Access to/from Century Lane and Venetian Way would be maintained. Under the proposed reconfiguration, all vehicular traffic exiting the Standard Hotel would need to turn around at a proposed striped cul-de-sac and travel eastbound along Island Avenue to the intersection at Island Avenue East/Venetian Way in order to access the Venetian Causeway. During the meeting, residents and City staff provided feedback on the County’s preliminary concept.

On March 15, 2023, County Commissioner Micky Steinberg coordinated a follow-up meeting with DTPW staff and Transportation and Mobility Department staff. During the meeting, DTPW staff shared an alternative design concept to reconfigure the intersection which it believes would be more beneficial. Attachment C depicts the two (2) alternatives developed by DTPW.

On June 21, 2023, Transportation and Mobility Department staff reviewed the two alternatives with representatives of the Belle Isle Residents Association (“BIRA”). At this time, based on internal coordination and input from BIRA representatives, the Administration believes that Alternative 2 would be preferable. Nevertheless, City and DTPW staff will coordinate a joint meeting with Belle Isle residents, stakeholders, and directly affected property owners in the coming weeks to obtain additional input on the two proposed alternatives prior to finalizing the selection of a recommended alternative. In addition, DTPW is currently in the process of identifying funds for the design and construction of the proposed improvements. 

FISCAL IMPACT

N/A