A controversial proposal to extend State Road 836 -- aka the Dolphin Expressway -- is making its way to Miami-Dade County commissioners. The extension would be a 15-mile north-south highway to and from the Kendall area; it would give commuters another highway option west of Florida’s Turnpike. Critics say the extension would bring development farther west and closer to the Everglades.
Doug Hanks is covering the story for the Miami Herald. He spoke with WLRN’s Kate Stein about the project and its implications.
Hanks says the proposed extension isn't technically part of the county's Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit Plan (SMART plan), which would put commuter railways and/or bus lanes along six of the county's highest-traffic corridors. But Hanks says the extension could potentially include rail if officials can find the funds.
After a delay, Miami-Dade County's Government Operations Committee is scheduled to vote on the proposed extension at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday; the meeting will be live-streamed here.
If the committee approves the proposed expressway extension, it passes to the full county commission for a vote.
