A public-private partnership led by FIU has won an $11. 4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve connectivity between the university’s west Miami-Dade campus, the neighboring city of Sweetwater and other parts of Greater Miami.
The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program (TIGER) grant will allow FIU and its partners, including the Miami-Dade Transportation Authority, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, the Florida Department of Transportation, the City of Sweetwater, IBM and engineering firm T.Y. Lin International, to move forward with UniversityCity.
The project is of regional significance because it will create a transit-oriented development district, while connecting east and west Miami-Dade County, further solidifying FIU and its surrounding neighborhoods as the innovation, cultural and athletic center for west Miami-Dade. UniversityCity was conceived as a $124 million project that will link the Modesto A. Maidique Campus to bus rapid transit (BRT), Miami International Airport and other key points in South Florida. The TIGER grant will allow for work to begin immediately on the following elements of the project:
- A pedestrian bridge across Southwest Eighth Street, and streetscape enhancements linking the Modesto A. Maidique Campus with neighboring Sweetwater at 109th Avenue, where a privately-funded student-focused housing apartment building is already under construction. A second residential option for FIU students is in development.
- Access improvements to the entrances of the Modesto A. Maidique Campus and to the 109th Avenue area in Sweetwater, across from campus.
- Smart Parking Software System in partnership with IBM that would alert smart phone users as to available spaces in a new FIU garage. The same application would contain real-time information about transportation, including the new advanced bus system with which Miami-Dade Transit is planning to connect west Miami-Dade County with the Miami Intermodal Center at the airport.
“UniversityCity will be one of the most tangible, meaningful solutions we help provide for South Floridians because it involves improved transportation, jobs and economic development,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “It took our entire congressional delegation and the hard work of many at FIU, as well as in the City of Sweetwater, Miami-Dade County, and the State of Florida to put together this winning proposal.”
UniversityCity is one of several transportation projects funded this year by TIGER grants, including two others in Florida.
“This is great news for the UniversityCity project,” said U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “Thanks to this TIGER funding, FIU students will be able to walk from their student housing to class through a pedestrian bridge across Southwest Eighth Street. The innovative technological upgrades to the FIU garage will make it easier to find parking and check the BRT schedule. More jobs will be created in our community thanks to this grant, and I look forward to celebrating the project’s success with everyone in South Florida.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, whose district includes FIU, said he is pleased with the grant.
“I commend the leadership and vision of President Rosenberg, as we work together to enrich FIU and the South Florida community,” Garcia said.
Road construction and detour makes the driving route a painstake for everyone on the road! Once it finally finishes, the road condition will then gets better.
What about an EPCOT style monorail between FIU and Engineering? Design wrapped with images promoting FIU. Nice 🙂
Amado, that would be amazing!! Will considerably reduce traffic on 107th Ave.
I think that might be smarter than this other waste of time and money. We need to find ways to reduce all kinds of vehicle traffic in our school instead of spending money on a fancy elevated walkway.
good to see
Wow that seems like one of the biggest wastes of money I could’ve ever imagined. Is this what you are choosing to spend our tuition increase money on?? Why???? You guys should help reduce costs not increase them on stupid high maintenance projects that will take years to complete. Stop wasting our time and money. That is so incredibly useless.
Dear Eve, clearly you are not a student or have ever attempted to cross eight street. If you’d actually take the time to look at the plans instead if complain and moan, you’d see that a series of buildings such as the 15 story dorm building being built now are going to be across the street. A bridge is necessary for three purposes: 1)For citizens of sweetwater to go FIU health 2) for students who live in the new dorms to cross without getting hit by cars 3) A way to promote FIU/ more exposure
I feel that this will be a waste of our (the university’s) resources. Traffic on campus is a bigger priority, as well as parking.
I think this is a great idea! I think FIU should look at expanding shuttle service to the EC on Saturdays. They should run at least until 1 p.m. to get students back to the main campus.
Eve, Mike, I do not know what your point is in making your posts and as hard as I try, I can’t find the contribution they bring to the discussion. If only you re-read the first line of the article, you’ll find that this is not affecting university resources and has nothing to do with tuition: this project brought to FIU an $11. 4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and will make things better for students and for the surrounding community as well. As for traffic and parking, perhaps the Smart Parking Software System being developed, along with the entrance improvement and advanced bus system will help a bit, don’t you think? Try supporting your university once every so often.