11 replies to this topic

[Wild Style]

Found out that Fort Lauderdale is in the process of rolling out a light rail system in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Moving forward it will connect port everglades, the airport and downtown, the FEC commuter rail (also in planning) with the tri rail) and then a line that will go up and down broward. There is also regional planning between West Palm and Dade. I don't know the info on the full tri county plan yet. I have emailed the director in hopes they will give more info. I will post that when I get that info.

Any way here is the site

link


here is a page that if you scroll down shows the plans.

link

I should mention the new commuter line will run on the rail lines that you drive over on broward when you go into downtown. This thing seems to run from Miami (Kendall to Lake worth I think)

[tombarnes]

At least they seem to be thinking ahead for once.  I'm a bit puzzled that more of the lines don't seem to go anywhere near the water.

[Wild Style]

I think they are more concerned with moving people to work locations right now. I think eventually they will go to the water though. I emailed the lady in charge of the mass transit department with a few questions. I will post her response as soon as I get it.

[tombarnes]

My concern for having transit near the water isn't merely for tourism.  There are a lot of people living in high-rises near the water, so this ought to be considered.  I see your point about the other areas, though.  Mostly, I am pleased that something appears to be moving forward.  it's certainly time that the city addressed mass transportation with something other than buses.  I look forward to your news.

[Wild Style]

tombarnes, on Apr 7 2008, 12:59 AM, said:

My concern for having transit near the water isn't merely for tourism.  There are a lot of people living in high-rises near the water, so this ought to be considered.  I see your point about the other areas, though.  Mostly, I am pleased that something appears to be moving forward.  it's certainly time that the city addressed mass transportation with something other than buses.  I look forward to your news.

Just heard back from the planning and design manager for Broward County. Her is what she has to say:

I’ve attached the County’s future transit map (please note, the circulator route has since been extended down to the hospital at 17th street and the other systems like the E/W actually go further west than what is being shown).  Basically, these are the following planned projects that will serve as regional systems:



Ø       The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is leading the East/West (aka Sawgrass/Seagrass) project that goes from Sawgrass Mills area east to downtown and then to the airport/seaport, which is planned to be a fixed rail system.



Ø       FDOT is studying the FEC railroad to serve as commuter rail since it goes through all the east coast downtown centers



The East/West project did study doing an elevated guideway. However, I am not sure where they are at with the current study in terms of at grade or not because it is very costly. You can find out more information by going to the project website.

http://www.centralbrowardtransit.com



In the interim, Broward County Transit (BCT) has purchased the articulated buses and are running them on a 441 route and a US 1 route with limited stops http://www.broward.o.....good shot.htm



As part of the 95 express project, FDOT will be running new BRT routes between Miami-Dade and Broward

http://www.95express.com/#HbusTransit

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by Wild Style, 07 April 2008 - 11:33 AM.

[tampasteve]

The PDF states for revenue service to start in 2009, is that correct? If they have not started construction they will be hard pressed to meet that schedule. Perhaps the map was referencing bus service or BRT service rather than LRT?

Steve

[Wild Style]

tampasteve, on Apr 10 2008, 04:26 PM, said:

The PDF states for revenue service to start in 2009, is that correct? If they have not started construction they will be hard pressed to meet that schedule. Perhaps the map was referencing bus service or BRT service rather than LRT?

Steve

good catch. I will email the person with the downtown development association for some answers.

[Wild Style]

Questions:

Quote

1. What is Fort Lauderdale going to do as far as public awareness and re-education of the population here? By this I mean, Floridians are not accustomed to taking mass transit en mass like other cities are. So we are wondering what the city will do to first make the citizens aware of the mass transit plans (public buy in) and secondly to educate them on how to use the system once it is up and running.

2. The PDF states for revenue service to start in 2009, is that correct? If construction will not start soon wont the city be hard pressed to meet that schedule. Perhaps the map was referencing bus service or BRT service rather than LRT?

Answers

Quote

To answer your questions, our future marketing plans do involve educating people on the benefits of transit in general. This effort will probably take place later this year into next year. We will then address the process of construction with the local businesses and those that will be impacted. Finally, we will address how to use the system, costs, operational hours, “don’t block the box”, and other must knows towards the middle to end of construction in 2011.



You’re correct; the 2009 date is not accurate. We plan on going into construction in 2010, with grand opening/operational date of late 2012. It will be here before we know it!!

[finehoe]

Wild Style, on Apr 7 2008, 01:31 PM, said:

Ø FDOT is studying the FEC railroad to serve as commuter rail since it goes through all the east coast downtown centers

I for one am sick of these neverending "studies".  How about some action?

[Wild Style]

Found this article today

link

Note: Please be sure to include a note or other text with a link to a news story. The rules of the site are strict about such things. Thanks. Tom

[tombarnes]

Good article!  It is unfortunate that the use of a wheeled "trolley" bus system and a real light-rail system are even being compared at all. At least it would appear that the former is no substitute for the latter. Thi system must be built. I would like to see more information about what studies they are using for deciding where to place the lines. Using Portland, Oregon as an example sounds good on paper, but in order to attract upper-income riders, the train system will have to reach them as well. The train system can be a catalyst for urban renewal, buit it must not be seen as the only route for said goal. Do you think that the proposed routes make sense?

[Wild Style]

tom

It makes sense if they are pursuing a new urbanism model to Fort Lauderdale development/redevelopment as opposed to the urban sprawl model of the past.

Edited by Wild Style, 27 April 2008 - 01:39 PM.