![]() “They will create barriers that transcend the physical barriers,” he said. Patrick Scott, president of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, warned that the bridge pilings won’t be nearly as pretty as they look in the artists’ renderings. “A lot of developers are sitting in this room today and they are very concerned that their properties might be taken by the government,” the mayor said. Trantalis mentioned the high cost of eminent domain that would have to be paid if the county opted to build a bridge. I really hope you and the county give it a shot.”Ĭohen was the last of 20 public speakers. From my experience, your peers at the county will listen. Please consider slowing this down, getting the rest of the new information and talking with your county colleagues. The type of bridge we’re talking about will divide this community. “This is something the county needs to hear. “A decision this important needs thoughtful consideration,” Cohen said. If construction begins in 2028, it would open by 2033.Ĭohen, who retired from the county last year and said he was speaking as a private citizen, urged city officials to share those new details with the county. The tunnel would take five years to build. Said Trantalis: “I just hope you three did not just write the epitaph for downtown.”Ĭounty commissioners have the final say, but are more likely to secure federal funding for the bridge project if Fort Lauderdale is onboard with the plan.Īccording to state transportation officials, a 3.25-mile tunnel from Southwest 15th Street to Sunrise Boulevard would cost $3 billion - six times the cost of a $500 million bridge.įort Lauderdale’s mayor says he thinks it can be done cheaper.īDO USA, a consultant hired by the city to look into the costs of a tunnel, shared preliminary findings Tuesday with the Fort Lauderdale commission.Ī shorter 1.1-mile tunnel can be built for an estimated $1 billion, they say. This is not listening to all of the residents and testimony we heard today. This is a very bad resolution for our city. “This resolution is waving the white flag. “This resolution should not pass,” Glassman said before casting his vote. ![]() Sturman, Herbst and Beasley-Pittman voted to accept a bridge if a tunnel is not feasible. The commission took an official vote on the matter Tuesday night. Vice Mayor Pamela Beasley-Pittman and Commissioners John Herbst and Warren Sturman had already said they’re willing to move forward with a bridge. Information from the South Florida Sun Sentinel was used in this report.Mayor Dean Trantalis and Commissioner Steve Glassman had already made it clear they prefer a tunnel. The storm will give way to a front on Monday, with temperatures forecast to fall into the 40s with cold wind chill readings in the upper 30s for parts of north Central Florida on Monday night. Johns River at Astor was forecast to briefly rise into moderate flood stage and then fall back to minor flood stage on Monday. The NWS forecast said thunderstorms were expected to remain over the ocean as the storm headed up the East Coast on Sunday, but a high risk of rip currents remained on Atlantic beaches and a gale warning was in effect offshore.Īs far as Central Florida flooding impacts, the St. In South Florida, Palm Beach County saw the highest rain totals, with about 3 to 4 inches, while Broward and Miami-Dade counties saw about 2 to 3 inches each, said National Weather Service Miami meteorologist George Rizzuto. Sensors are reporting 3 feet of surge in many communities, with powerful winds continuing onshore at this time. We’re covering areas of coastal flooding and storm surge across Southwest Florida on this morning. The NWS issued a tornado warning for Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda until 3:30 a.m. WINK-TV in Fort Myers reported a surge of 3 feet in that city’s downtown, with several roads closed. Flooding from that surge was reported throughout the Tampa Bay region in coastal and low-lying areas.
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