West Avenue Neighborhood Enhancements

This crucial project will significantly reduce flood risk for the West Avenue neighborhood for it to remain a walkable, active community for many years to come. Through holistic urban design, this design-build project includes underground utility infrastructure improvements, including new water and wastewater infrastructure, the installation of a stormwater treatment system (pump station), a new street lighting system as well as raising the elevation of the roadway to minimize street flooding from sea level rise. It will improve walking and biking experiences and beautify the neighborhood with trees and vegetation. This work completes the previous work performed during the first phase of the project.

• New underground infrastructure will replace the existing, aging water and sewer lines and minimize chances of future breaks and interruptions in service.
• Wider sidewalks, more landscaping and buffered bicycle lanes will enhance the pedestrian and bicycling experience.
• The project will install a new stormwater treatment system (pump station) in the parking lot (P24) at 1671 West Ave. to help minimize flooding from rain events throughout the neighborhood.
• Permanent auxiliary power generators will be installed at the new pump station as well as existing pump stations to ensure the pump stations remain operational during power outages.
• Raised roads and sidewalks will mitigate today’s “sunny-day flooding” and the long-term impacts of sea level rise within the low-lying neighborhood.
• A continuous bicycle path will be provided along West Avenue.
• New trees and landscaping will provide a more robust tree canopy, which will help reduce the heat island effect by providing more shade.
• A new streetlight system will enhance resident safety within project limits.
• A new section of the Baywalk will be constructed along the waterfront at 1450 Lincoln Rd. Similar to the city’s Beachwalk, the Baywalk will promote nonmotorized transportation along the bayfront.
• Upgraded street ends at 10 and 14 streets, 16 Terrace and Court, Bay Road and Lincoln Terrace and Road to accommodate an expanded tree canopy, wider sidewalks where possible and connectivity to the Baywalk for an enhanced pedestrian experience.

The project limits are:

• West Avenue between 8 Street and Lincoln Road, including side streets
• Bay Road between 14 Street and Collins Canal
• Lincoln Court between Lincoln Road and Collins Canal

In an effort to combat sea level rise, ensure usability of the roadway system and extend the useful life of our roads, Miami Beach has established a policy to raise the roads. At the time that the West Avenue Neighborhood Improvement Project was planned, the city’s policy was that the crown of roads should be at a minimum elevation of 3.7 feet American Vertical Datum (NAVD), a horizontal reference system. A common misconception is that this means roads should be raised by 3.7 feet in all areas. In reality, the policy means that roads should be raised to an elevation of 3.7 feet NAVD only where they are not already at that elevation. The roads within this project area are low lying and will be raised by approximately 24 inches.

Harmonization is needed to provide a smooth transition between the city’s right-of-way enhancements and private properties. Even if the roadway and sidewalk are raised several inches, the contractor may need to perform work within the private property to ensure properties remain accessible and safe for residents, visitors and business patrons.

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