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.
At the October 26, 2022 City Commission meeting, the Mayor and City Commission (“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, at the October 26, 2022 City Commission meeting, Mayor Steven Meiner referred a discussion item (Item C7 AD, Attachment C) to discuss 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”).
On December 9, 2022, 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 first-hand the traffic operations occurring at this intersection 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 D depicts the two (2) alternatives developed by DTPW (DTPW Alternatives 1 and 2).
On June 21, 2023, Transportation and Mobility Department staff shared the two (2) alternatives with representatives of the Belle Isle Residents Association (“BIRA”) for discussion and input. During the meeting, BIRA expressed support for DTPW Alternative 2.
On July 24, 2023, City and DTPW staff met with representatives of BIRA and the Standard Hotel to obtain additional input on the two (2) proposed alternatives. Based on the feedback received, there is consensus that DTPW Alternative 2, which proposes a cul-de-sac at the intersection of Century Lane/Venetian Way/Island Avenue West, is the preferred alternative.