THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND TRANSIT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the Board’s Value of "[C]ooperatively delivering an efficient and accessible regional intermodal transportation network".
Staff is requesting approval of a supplemental Joint Participation Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that will provide $1,748,392 for capital improvements for the 95 Express Bus service which may include buses, park & ride lot enhancements, signage, and shelter and bus stop upgrades.
As background, at its January 8, 2008 meeting (Item No. 56), the Board approved Broward County Transit Division’s (BCT) participation as a key partner for the transit component of the I-95 Express Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) between the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and FDOT Districts 4 and 6. Phase 1A of this UPA project converted the northbound high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along I-95 in Miami-Dade County from I-195 to the Golden Glades Interchange into high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes. Tolls are variably priced based upon demand and collected electronically via "SunPass" transponders. Phase 1B converted the southbound I-95 lanes in Miami-Dade County from the Golden Glades area to just north of S.R. 836. Phase 2 converted the lanes from Golden Glades to I-595 in Broward County. As part of the overall project, BCT implemented an express bus system (I-95 Express) in cooperation with Miami-Dade Transit that transports commuters from Broward County to Miami-Dade County using the HOT lanes.
On September 27, 2016 (Item No. 11), the Board approved a JPA with FDOT in the amount of $2,843,206 for the purchase of buses for the 95 Express Bus Service. On June 6, 2017 (Item No. 52), the Board approved supplemental JPA No. 1 FDOT providing an additional $1,748,392 in capital funding for buses for the service. Through this JPA No. 2, FDOT is providing an additional $1,748,392 in funding for a total amended amount of $6,339,990 in capital grant funding for the 95 Express Bus service.
The supplemental JPA has been reviewed and approved as to form by the County Attorney’s Office. County approval of the Resolution and execution of the JPA is required prior to FDOT executing said agreement. |