Introduction to the Issue
People living on Key Biscayne are searching for relief, saying traffic on the Rickenbaker Causeway is a major concern and a safety issue.
Several residents brought their concerns to council members Tuesday night.
Concerns of the Residents
“We are hostages on our island,” Michele Estevez said. “There’s more people and cars, we understand that, but they have to look for solutions,” Patricia Romano said. More than 2,000 people signed an online petition demanding a resident-only lane for Key Biscayne taxpayers. Estevez handed the petition to the council. “If it’s something big and serious on the island, we will be in trouble,” Estevez said. “Safety is our concern.”
Involvement of Local Authorities
The petition is not only addressed to Key Biscayne but to Miami and Miami-Dade County. “It’s also a joint issue that we have to address,” Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco said. “They have a bigger say in it because those are their beaches, the causeway belongs to the county, so we need to work with them and we are.” Rasco plans to meet with the mayors of Miami and Miami-Dade County in the next week to try and come up with solutions. He says there are short-term and long-term fixes. “Better coordination between the entities, also better information,” Rasco said. “The long-term fixes are costly infrastructure issues that need to be resolved.”
Planned Solutions and Commitments
A message went out to Key Biscayne residents saying village leaders are fully committed to finding solutions that ease this burden. That includes collecting and analyzing data, coordinating with partners, communicating with residents and visitors, and supporting the county and others in developing plans and implementing infrastructure fixes. The Village manager says over the last two years, they’ve seen a more than 50% increase in traffic from Crandon Park alone. “We’re going to continue to have the conversation of how to alleviate our residents’ ability to get off the island without having to deter beachgoers from coming over to the beaches,” Rasco said.
Demands for Action
People who live on the island say they want less talk and more action. “Enough is enough, we are not going to be hostages anymore,” Estevez said.
Conclusion
The traffic congestion on the Rickenbaker Causeway has become a significant issue for the residents of Key Biscayne, affecting their safety and quality of life. The local authorities have acknowledged the problem and are working towards finding solutions, both short-term and long-term. The commitment to collecting data, coordinating with partners, and implementing infrastructure fixes is a step in the right direction. However, the residents are eager for tangible results and are demanding action to alleviate the traffic burden.
FAQs
- Q: What is the main concern of the residents of Key Biscayne?
A: The main concern is the traffic congestion on the Rickenbaker Causeway, which they believe is a safety issue. - Q: How many people signed the online petition for a resident-only lane?
A: More than 2,000 people signed the petition. - Q: Who is involved in addressing the traffic issue?
A: The issue is being addressed jointly by Key Biscayne, Miami, and Miami-Dade County. - Q: What are the planned solutions to the traffic problem?
A: Planned solutions include collecting and analyzing data, coordinating with partners, communicating with residents and visitors, and implementing infrastructure fixes. - Q: What is the percentage increase in traffic from Crandon Park over the last two years?
A: There has been a more than 50% increase in traffic from Crandon Park alone.
