4 min read July 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, Gregory Stuart, executive director of the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), discussed key milestones, strategic pillars of the Route to 2050 project, challenges in the county, funding priorities and his outlook for the MPO and Broward County.
What have been some of the key milestones for the organization over the last year?
Working closely with our partners at Broward County and Brightline, we have achieved significant success in securing new discretionary grant funds from Washington, D.C. These funds are part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was recently passed. We have received awards ranging from $5 million for pedestrian safety to $15 million for rail crossing improvements and another $15 million for enhancements to University Drive. This past year has been highly productive in securing additional funding beyond the typical formula dollars we receive from Washington, D.C. It is gratifying to see these funds directed to our region instead of other locations like California or New York.
What are the strategic pillars of the Route to 2050 project?
Our Route to 2050, goes beyond the federally mandated requirements for a long-range transportation plan of a metropolitan area in the United States by looking at direct and indirect impacts on our transportation system. We start by actively engaging with communities to understand their future transportation needs. Then we layer other factors, such as the impacts of climate change on the next generations and technological advancements. While we won’t experience the full force of climate change until after 2060, our 2050 document addresses preparations for flooding and heavy rain events. This necessitates infrastructure improvements to cope with intense weather. Adapting to these climate stressors is a key pillar of our 2050 plan, especially in South Florida and Broward County.
Technological advancements are another crucial pillar. Through partnerships with major companies like Deloitte, we’ve created a digital twin of Southeast Florida, covering the entire region, including the Keys, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. This cutting-edge tool provides real-time data on road networks, traffic flow and interstate backups. With it, we can swiftly respond to accidents by optimizing traffic signals and suggesting alternate routes. Testing is underway and full implementation is planned over the next couple of years. Our focus extends beyond transportation, encompassing stormwater distribution, water supply and sewer systems.
Furthermore, we’re collaborating with hospital districts to utilize this technology in modeling future healthcare needs, allowing hospitals to manage patient capacities, prioritize surgeries and operate efficiently during crises. This digital twin is an essential element of our technological endeavors.
Additionally, our collaboration with the Center emphasizes addressing near-miss situations to prevent accidents. By deploying LIDAR cameras at intersections, we can detect potential accidents and analyze data to improve traffic light systems, road networks and driver behavior. Our aim is to achieve Vision Zero, eliminating pedestrian and vehicular accidents.
What are the key challenges you see in the county and how is the Broward MPO working to address them?
Historically, our community was designed around the car and has not considered bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure or public transportation high priorities. Gridlock traffic and constant congestion led to new roads and lanes, which brought more traffic, and created a downward spiral. We’re at a point where we cannot build more roads or add new lanes, so we have to use what we have more efficiently. In recent years, a groundswell of support has ushered in a huge investment of local dollars to reimagine mobility in Broward County. Voters approved a one-cent surtax for transportation in 2018 to enhance Broward’s growth and prosperity.
With funding support from the surtax, Broward County Transit (BCT) has recently launched its multi-billion-dollar Premium Mobility Plan (PREMO). This transformational initiative will add more than 200 miles of new premium transit services to its existing service network. It will also create new jobs, stimulate economic development, connect major points of interest, and provide Broward County residents and visitors with multimodal transit options. The PREMO Plan includes the implementation of commuter rail, light-rail transit, bus rapid transit, and high-frequency bus service.
The Broward MPO plays a key role in the successful implementation of PREMO by collaboratively engaging 31 local governments who represent the people using the system and coordinating regional transportation planning efforts to seamlessly deliver these major projects. The MPO is excited to support this data-driven plan, which will create jobs, support affordable housing, expand small business development, and truly transform the ways that Broward residents reach their destinations.
Looking forward, what will be the funding priorities and how will resources be allocated in terms of their order of importance?
In 2024, we’ll begin construction on the Sawgrass Connector, an exciting collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation 30 years in the making. This project marks one of the final additions to Broward’s Interstate highway system. With an estimated cost of $800 million and a timeline of about five years, including ancillary construction, the total investment will reach approximately $1 to $1.3 billion. The construction of the Sawgrass Connector holds significance, considering the ongoing projects on I-95, I-75 and 595, providing employment opportunities in engineering and construction for concrete and rebar work.
This year, we anticipate completing ongoing projects, including the expansion of managed lanes on I-95 and the continued construction of the managed lane connection to 595. Collaborations with Congress are underway to secure funding for a double lane access on the 595 from US 1 near Port Everglades, addressing congestion issues in the area. Recently, we obtained a Congressional earmark to install pedestrian lighting along Lyons Road in Coconut Creek. Additionally, we are actively installing charging facilities for electric vehicles in preparation for the anticipated growth of the electric vehicle market. Our partnership with General Motors and their distributors enables us to provide charging stations to our municipal partners. For example, the City of Sunrise received a federal grant to install charging stations near the Sawgrass Mills Mall, offering convenient charging options for electric rental vehicles. This year the completion of our transition to energy-efficient LED street lights, which reduce energy consumption and provide more light creating a safer environment.
Over the next five years, our focus will be on the premium mobility plan in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation and Broward County. The Florida Department of Transportation’s five-year work program is $5.5 billion and Broward County is set to invest billions of more dollars in the transportation system. Our goal and vision is to ensure these projects complement each other and are able to meet the needs of tomorrow’s challenges. By doing so, we aim to minimize disruptions and ensure efficient construction practices.
What is your outlook for MPO and Broward County for the near future?
Our outlook is exceptionally strong, perhaps the strongest in its 45-year history. Financially, we are in an extremely dynamic position and have the capability to inject billions of dollars into the market. Next month, in July, our board will adopt a $5.5 billion funding package solely for transportation. This figure does not even include contributions from the county or other entities in the region. Reflecting on this, we can confidently say that we are in a robust state. When I first joined, our annual budget was around $500 million, but now we exceed $1 billion per year. This significant increase in funding ensures that we are well-prepared to keep South Florida and Broward County in motion.
How do partnerships contribute to Broward County and Southeast Florida’s success?
I want to emphasize the significance of partnerships and how crucial they are for the continued success of Broward County and Southeast Florida. Our history of achievement has been built upon strong collaborations, and it is through these partnerships that we will sustain and further advance. As an independent organization separate from the county, I have had productive conversations and formed valuable partnerships with the new County Administrator, Monica Cepero, and her team. Furthermore, we have recently convened with the new District Secretary, Steve Braun, for the Florida Department of Transportation. In fact, just yesterday, we all met and agreed to hold quarterly meetings to discuss our respective progress on different projects. Historically, this level of communication and cooperation has not been the norm, leading to inconsistent road conditions and standards across various communities. The importance of coordination and collaboration cannot be overstated. We aim to lead the conversation among our partners, aligning our efforts in the transportation sector and potentially extending to areas like affordable housing. Our objective is to foster productive and coordinated design and planning, a unique approach that we anticipate continuing for the next fifteen years and beyond.
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