| (Washington, DC) -- As a new member of Congress, one of my highest priorities when I first came to Washington was to get a full understanding of the appropriations process and meet with South Florida officials to prioritize projects in need of federal support.
Returning $12.8 million in transportation funds was a big victory for the families, workers and businesses of South Florida. I am pleased to have worked with many of my colleagues in Congress to secure worthy projects that will provide much needed support to South Florida's transportation infrastructure.
The projects were included in the Transportation Equity Act Conference Report (TEA-LU) which passed the House of Representatives and Senate the last week of July. The projects, stretching across the 20th Congressional District of Florida, will improve the safety and efficiency of the transportation infrastructure upon which families and businesses rely.
I know that traffic problems persist throughout South Florida. I know this first hand because I drive across the district every week as part of my job as your member of Congress. Whether I am driving from Weston to Aventura, or from Hollywood to Sunrise, it is evident that our roads are just over burdened.
The Regional Transportation Authority has a long term plan to solve the region's traffic congestion needs. We need a coordinated local, state and federal effort which is ongoing. Bringing home $12.8 million in badly needed federal transportation funds will help relieve congestion in pockets throughout the region.
Florida continues to be a donor state when it comes to transportation taxes, meaning that we pay more in federal transportation taxes than we get back in funding for transportation projects. While this gap has narrowed somewhat this year, I will continue to fight to bring home our fair share of federal transportation funds.
I am always grateful for the input of my constituents. Your questions, thoughts, and concerns are important to me, so please don't hesitate to let me know about any issues you believe to be significant. I can be reached at my Broward District Office, located in the Pembroke Pines City Hall, at 10100 Pines Blvd., 2nd Floor, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026. The phone number is (954) 437-3936. My Miami-Dade District office is located at 19200 West Country Club Drive, 3rd Floor, Aventura, FL 33180. The telephone number is (305)936-5724. Our Washington, DC address is 118 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. The telephone number is (202) 225-7931. Thank you!
The following is a list of the projects and the amount funding secured:
1) Broward County Buses & Bus Facility - This project, requested by Broward County, will replace obsolete transit buses, add articulated buses for a new bus rapid transit system on highest rider ship routes, and construct a bus facility. This project links the 3 major counties in South Florida and provides regional transit connectors to major economic activity centers. It will improve safety and lower congestion throughout the region. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $1.6 million of the approximate $12.7 million included in the final conference report for this project.
2) Broward County Interchange at Florida's Turnpike & Stirling Road - This project, requested by the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida on behalf of Broward County, will construct an interchange at Florida's Turnpike & Stirling Rd. For the past decade, the Florida Turnpike Enterprise has sought ways to reduce the peak period congestion at Hollywood Boulevard and to increase access capacity to Florida's turnpike. This project will accomplish both objectives. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $2 million of the $4.4 million included in the final conference report for this project.
3) Central Plantation Transit Greenway System - This project, requested by the City of Plantation and FDOT, entails a landscaped pedestrian greenway system and trolley system that would run at 10-minute intervals from 7am to 9pm daily. The project would provide a safe, efficient transportation system that would reduce traffic congestion and improve circulation in and around the city. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $1.23 million of the $1.3 million included in the final conference report for this project.
4) City of North Miami Beach Hanford Blvd. Reconstruction - This project, requested by the City of North Miami Beach, would contribute to the reconstruction of Hanford Blvd. Phase 3 (NE 164th St. between NW 15th Ave. & NW 23rd Ave. except from the 1800 block to the 2000 block). It will improve safety, lower congestion, protect the environment and attract new residents and businesses. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $1.4 million of the $2.2 million included in the final conference report for this project.
5) City of Wilton Manors Powerline Road Streetscape Enhancement Project - This project, requested by the City of Wilton Manors, is a streetscape enhancement project along a .7 mile segment of Powerline Rd. This project would improve landscape in the medians and right of ways, entryway signage, decorative lighting, bus shelters, bicycle racks, etc. It will improve safety conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and increase the use of mass transit. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured the $300,000 included in the final conference report for this project.
6) Southwest Ranches Urban Interchange - This project, requested by the town of SW Ranches, would convert the two western quadrants of the Griffin Rd. / I-75 interchange from rural design to an urban design. This project will relieve conflict between westbound traffic and traffic exiting I-75 bound for the city of Weston. It will eliminate conflicts, delays & accidents and provide additional storage capacity. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured the $1.6 million included in the final conference report for this project.
7) South Florida Regional Transportation Authority's (SFRTA) Regional Universal Automated Fare Collection System (UAFC) - This is part of a larger system of projects including Miami-Dade transit, Broward transit, Palm Beach Transit and SFRTA. SFRTA considers it a top priority for the region, and all four transit agencies have pledged support. The project will reduce barriers and encourage the use of public transportation for regional travel needs by residents and visitors. It will provide seamless travel within the region. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $1.6 million of the approximate $1.7 million included in the final conference report for this project.
8) Bay Harbor Islands West Relief Bridge Rehabilitation - This project, requested by the Town of Bay Harbor Islands, would rehabilitate the West Relief Bridge at 96th Street. This is currently an emergency evacuation route for the region and the bridge is currently under a weight restriction. This project is critical as the bridge serves as the connection to the mainland, which serves as the emergency evacuation for four towns. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured the $1.2 million included in the final conference report for this project.
9) Hollywood Young Circle Arts Park - This project, requested by the City of Hollywood, entails the reshaping of traffic entering and departing Young Circle due to the high level of traffic accidents and danger to pedestrians. The project will significantly help traffic flow by mitigating congestion and providing greater safety to both drivers and pedestrians. The project will also modernize Young Circle Park and create an area-wide cultural facility establishing a major new attraction for vehicle and pedestrian traffic in South Florida. Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $1.84 million of the $2.84 million included in the final conference report for this project.
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