TRI-RAIL LEHIGH EXPANSION VIDEO PROPOSAL PREVIEW

Folks, with the new year setting in, I feel that it is time to bring forth new ideas and promote changes.

I have been adamant over the past couple of months to push for a service expansion of Tri-Rail west to the Malls. Wait... that remark sounded a bit nerdy, right? In other words, I feel that the 25-year old commuter line needs to grow, and most importantly, incorporate parts of the city that promote nothing short of economic benefit to the service. It sounds all too easy to speak, but this push will strongly encourage the use of infrastructure that is quite similar to what exists for Tri-Rail (SFRTA) as it is to create a strong economic engine that will benefit South Florida travel for years to come.

The first phase of my proposal, and the key focus of my video that will be put up really soon, is a three-station west expansion to greater Sweetwater. It seeks to use four miles of the CSX Homestead Subdivision and five of the seven miles of the Lehigh Spur, which is the stretch of steel rail that parallels State Road 836. It aims to upgrade the track speed considerably, including some minor realignments that will improve performance, much like the Double Track project has done to the existing mainline.

The three stations that embody the extension are all on the Lehigh Spur:

  • Airport West would be best located around the El Dorado area, just east of NW 72nd Avenue and 12th Street, in the open lot that used to be the FEC and CSX tracks curving to the south. In 2008, a bypass track was built and eliminated switching moves. Station amenities ideally include parking, bus transportation, shuttle transportation to the many corporate offices and hotels nearby, and possible mixed commercial retail development, which isn't specified in the video. It can also encourage, through the use of an overhead crossover, a viewing platform for aviation buffs as to provide a safe viewing spot for aircraft at parallel Miami International Airport. This can discourage the (Ab)use of El Dorado's parking lot by non-spotters who patronize the spot far worse than those who just sit to snap pics of that A380 landing.
  • 87th Avenue will be best located just east of Galloway Road and accessible to NW 12th Street. The only hiccup will be the need for eminient domain on the car dealers' lots. It is believed that the west lot of H Greg Auto Action could suit enough space to house the bulk of the facilities. In exchange, 12th Street could be moved to the south in this area and a redundant loop ramp could be eliminated in favor of additional parking facilities. Amenities include parking, bus transit, Doral Trolley, and more. Walmart, other shopping, and many dining locations are within a walk from here. This could lead to a minor development bubble in the area.
  • 107th Avenue is a true hub. It will be best located in the "area under the curve" of 12th Street, bounded by 107th and the Lehigh Spur (math joke, I know). Ample parking and bus service could be a part of it, and so could a dedicated FIU shuttle lane that will house buses transporting students to the already overcrowded campus. Three schools, two humongous malls, and ample dining locations are located within reach. 
The video will show visuals of this corridor and also how I see fit that vehicle traffic patterns should be adjusted in the surrounding areas.

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