C7AC - 63rd St Bridge Schedule

Resolutions - C7 AC

C7 AC A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LAND USE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE, AT ITS JUNE 10, 2025 MEETING, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A FORMAL REQUEST TO THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD (“COAST GUARD”) TO PROCEED WITH IMPLEMENTING THE COAST GUARD’S PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE 63RD STREET BRIDGE DAILY OPENING SCHEDULE, EFFECTIVE EACH DAY FROM 7:00 P.M. TO 7:00 A.M., WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE THE CURRENT ON- DEMAND OPERATION AND INSTEAD ONLY OPEN ON THE HOUR AND HALF- HOUR (UPON DEMAND) DURING SUCH HOURS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS WHICH WILL REMAIN FULLY ON-DEMAND. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The City Administration (“Administration”) recommends that the Mayor and City Commission (“City Commission”) adopt the Resolution.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

The 63 Street bascule bridge is a drawbridge located near the east end of State Road (“SR”)

907/63 Street between Allison Road and Indian Creek Drive. The operations and maintenance of the 63 Street bridge are under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDOT”). FDOT engages a private contractor to provide bridge tender services. The bridge tender is responsible for controlling bridge activity and maintaining bridge activity logs.

The United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) has authority to establish and regulate drawbridge operations, including for the 63 Street bascule bridge, pursuant to the USCG Bridge Regulations found in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”), Chapter 1, Subchapter J, Part 114 -118.

As such, the current schedule of the 63 Street bascule bridge, as approved by the USCG, is as follows:

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From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, the bridge will open on the hour and half hour (only if there is demand). Outside of those hours, Monday through Friday, the bridge operates on demand. From 7:10 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. and from 4:05 p.m. to 6:59 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays, the bridge will not open for the passage of vessels, except emergency vessels or tug/tow vessels. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays, the bridge will open on the hour and half-hour (only if there is demand), except on federal holidays when the bridge will operate on demand. Outside of those hours, on Saturdays and Sundays, the bridge operates on demand.

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ANALYSIS

In May 2024, the Transportation and Mobility Department completed the 63 Street Bascule Bridge Traffic Study (“Traffic Study”) to evaluate the impacts - to both vehicular and marine traffic - of a potential modification of the current 63 Street bascule bridge schedule to reduce the number of openings during the weekday non-peak/non-restricted hours from every half hour to hourly openings (only if there is demand) as well as a potential weekend schedule change to help reduce traffic congestion in the area.

The Traffic Study found that certain modifications to the current schedule of the 63 Street bascule bridge would reduce vehicular traffic congestion in the area. Below is the proposed bridge schedule as recommended in the Traffic Study:

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From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, the bridge would open on the hour (only if there is demand). Outside of those hours, Monday through Friday, the bridge would operate on demand. Note this recommendation represents a modification to the current bridge schedule consisting of opening on the hour (i.e. every 60 minutes) rather than on the hour and half hour (i.e. every 30 minutes). From 7:10 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. and from 4:05 p.m. to 6:59 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays, the bridge would not open for the passage of vessels, except emergency vessels or tug/tow vessels. Note these are the current restricted hours; thus, no change to the current restricted hours is being recommended. From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays, the bridge will open on the hour and half-hour (only if there is demand), except on federal holidays when the bridge will operate on demand. Outside of those hours, on Saturdays and Sundays, the bridge operates on demand. Note this recommendation represents an extension of the current bridge schedule during this time period by two (2) hours (from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

The Administration transmitted the Traffic Study to the FDOT and the USCG for review. In December 2024, the USCG responded via letter denying the City’s recommended schedule modifications. However, the USCG proffered an alternate modification to the weekday and weekend schedules from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. consisting of eliminating the current on-demand operation and opening on the hour and half-hour (only if there is demand). This proposed modification is expected to reduce the number of overall bridge openings and improve traffic flow in the area during weekdays and weekends from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

As such, upon the implementation of the USCG’s proposed alternate schedule modification, the schedule of the 63 Street bascule bridge would be as follows:

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From 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. of the following day, Monday through Sunday, the bridge would open on the hour and half hour (only if there is demand). This is basically, a 24/7 schedule. From 7:10 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. and from 4:05 p.m. to 6:59 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays, the bridge would not open for the passage of vessels, except emergency vessels or tug/tow vessels.

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At the June 10, 2025 LUSC meeting, during a discussion on Item 2 - Discuss Replacing the Drawbridge at 63 Street with a Flyover to Alleviate Traffic Congestion, sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt - the Committee recommended accepting the USCG’s proposed alternate modification to the weekday and weekend schedules.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

N/A

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

N/A

CONCLUSION

The Administration is committed to continue working with the FDOT and USCG to reduce the traffic congestion caused by the frequency of the 63 Street bascule bridge openings and improve mobility and residents’ quality of life.

Given the USCG’s denial of the City’s recommended bridge opening schedule modifications, the Administration supports the USCG’s proposed alternate modification to the weekday and weekend schedules from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., consisting of eliminating the current on-demand operation and opening on the hour and half-hour (only if there is demand) during these time periods. The current restrictions during weekday morning and afternoon peak periods would remain in place.

Should the City Commission adopt this Resolution accepting the recommendation of the LUSC, the City Manager will transmit the Resolution via letter to the USCG requesting to proceed with the implementation of the alternate bridge opening schedule modification, as proffered by the USCG.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): N/A

Department

Transportation and Mobility

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt

Co-sponsor(s)

Mayor Steven Meiner

RESOLUTION NO.

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Condensed Title

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LAND USE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE, AT ITS JUNE 10, 2025 MEETING, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A FORMAL REQUEST TO THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ("COAST GUARD") TO PROCEED WITH IMPLEMENTING THE COAST GUARD'S PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE 63RD STREET BRIDGE DAILY OPENING SCHEDULE, EFFECTIVE EACH DAY FROM 7:00 P.M. TO 7:00 A.M., WHICH WOULD ELIMINATE THE CURRENT ON-DEMAND OPERATION AND INSTEAD ONLY OPEN ON THE HOUR AND HALF-HOUR (UPON DEMAND) DURING SUCH HOURS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FEDERAL HOLIDAYS WHICH WILL REMAIN FULLY ON-DEMAND.

Accept Recommendation, Modification to 63rd Street Bridge Schedule. (Bhatt/Meiner) TR

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)

WHEREAS, the 63rd Street bascule bridge ("63" Street Bridge") is a drawbridge located near the east end of State Road ("SR") 907/63 Street between Allison Road and Indian Creek Drive. The operation and maintenance of the 63rd Street Bridge are under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation ("FOOT"). FOOT engages a private contractor to provide bridge tender services responsible for controlling bridge activity and maintaining bridge activity logs; and

WHEREAS, the United States Coast Guard ("Coast Guard") has authority to establish and regulate drawbridge operations, including for the 63rd Street Bridge, pursuant to the U.S.C.G. Bridge Regulations found in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("CFR"), Chapter 1, Subchapter J, Part 114 -118; and

WHEREAS, the current schedule of the 63rd Street Bridge, as approved by the Coast Guard, is as follows: from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday, the bridge will open on the hour and half hour (only if there is demand). Outside of those hours (from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.), Monday through Sunday, the bridge operates purely on demand. However, from 7:10 a.m. to 9:55 a.m., and from 4:05 p.m. to 6:59 p.m., Monday through Friday (except on Federal holidays which are entirely upon demand), the bridge will not open for the passage of vessels, except emergency vessels or tug/tow vessels; and

WHEREAS, in May 2024, the Transportation and Mobility Department completed the 63rd Street Bascule Bridge Traffic Study ("Traffic Study") to evaluate the impacts - to both vehicular and marine traffic - of a potential modification of the current 63rd Street Bridge schedule to reduce the number of openings during the weekday non-peak/non- restricted hours from every half hour to hourly openings (only if there is demand), as well as a potential weekend schedule change to help reduce traffic congestion in the area; and

WHEREAS, the Traffic Study found that certain modifications to the current schedule of the 63rd Street Bridge would reduce vehicular traffic congestion in the area; and

WHEREAS, the proposed bridge schedule, as recommended in the Traffic Study, is as follows: from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, the bridge would open on the hour (only if there is demand). Outside of those hours (from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.), Monday through Friday, the bridge would operate on demand. Note this recommendation represents a modification to the current bridge schedule by only opening on the hour (i.e., every 60 minutes) rather than on the hour and on the half hour (i.e., every 30 minutes). The current restricted hours, from 7:10 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. and from 4:05 p.m. to 6:59 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays, would remain unchanged. From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, the bridge would open on the hour and half-hour (only if there is demand), except on Federal holidays when the bridge would operate purely on demand. Outside of those hours (from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.) on Saturdays and Sundays, the bridge would operate on demand. Essentially, this recommendation represents an extension of the current bridge schedule during this time period by two (2) hours (from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.); and

WHEREAS, the Administration transmitted the Traffic Study to the FOOT and the Coast Guard for review. In December 2024, the Coast Guard responded, via letter, denying the City's recommended schedule modifications. However, the Coast Guard proffered an alternate modification to the weekday and weekend schedules, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., each day, by eliminating the current on-demand operation during such hours and instead only opening on the hour and half-hour (upon demand). The Coast Guard's proposed modification is expected to reduce the number of overall bridge openings and improve traffic flow in the area during weekdays and weekends from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; and

WHEREAS, upon the implementation of the Coast Guard's proposed alternate schedule modification, the schedule of the 63rd Street Bridge would be as follows: from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. of the following day, Monday through Sunday, the bridge would open on the hour and half hour (only if there is demand), which is basically a 24/7 schedule, except for Federal holidays (which would remain fully on-demand) and the restricted hours of 7:10 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. and from 4:05 p.m. to 6:59 p.m., Monday through Friday, would remain unchanged; and

WHEREAS, the Administration is committed to continue working with the FOOT and the Coast Guard to reduce the traffic congestion caused by the frequency of the 63rd Street Bridge openings and improve mobility and residents' quality of life; and

WHEREAS, in light of the Coast Guard's denial of the City's recommended bridge opening schedule modifications, the Administration supports the Coast Guard's proposed alternate modification to the weekday and weekend schedules from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., each day, consisting of eliminating the current on-demand operation during such hours and instead only opening on the hour and half-hour (upon demand) during these time periods. As previously referenced herein, the current restrictions during weekday morning and weekday afternoon peak hours would remain in place; and

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WHEREAS, at the June 10, 2025 LUSC meeting, during a discussion on Item 2 - Discuss Replacing the Drawbridge at 63 Street with a Flyover to Alleviate Traffic Congestion, sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt, the Committee recommended accepting the Coast Guard's proposed alternate modification to the weekday and weekend schedules, as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission accept the recommendation of the Land Use and Sustainability Committee ("LUSC"), at its June 10, 2025 meeting, authorizing the City Manager to submit a formal request to the United States Coast Guard ("Coast Guard") to proceed with implementing the Coast Guard's proposed modification to the 63rd Street Bridge daily opening schedule, effective each day from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., which would eliminate the current on-demand operation and instead only open on the hour and half-hour (upon demand) during such hours, with the exception of Federal holidays which will remain fully on-demand.

PASSED and ADOPTED this 29th day October, 2025.

ATTEST:

Steven Meiner, Mayor

Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk

(Sponsored by Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt and co-sponsored by Mayor Steven Meiner)

APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION

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