Proposed New Southwest Expressway: A Highway to Urban Sprawl in South Dade

The proposed Southwestern extension of 836 MDX Toll Expressway appears to be a breath of fresh air to the residents of West Kendall.  An alternate route to the job centers of Miami-Dade county that will enable the residents to cut their commute time and frustrations of bumper to bumper traffic on Florida Turnpike (SR 821) and Don Shula Expressway (SR 874).  Residents won't be able to escape the tolls though as all expressways ran by MDX have this funding mechanism.

With a highway of this magnitude in the western reaches of the county one can only expect more housing, shopping centers and other aspects of urbanization or in the case urban sprawl.  It happened in Broward county and we will be no different. You can expect there will be a push to extend the UDB further west.  The forces to make this happen are gearing up for a fight on both sides of the issue.  On one side the Developers and construction interests.  They are very powerful in the county as they are able to influence MDX and the Board of Commissioners via lobbyist as well as campaign contributions for the latter.  On the other there will be Farmers and Environmental Activists who would like to preserve their agricultural way of life and the Everglades.  A compromise is inevitable so stay tuned as the study gets underway.

Purple Route:  Non-Starter.  It traverses residential areas along SW 137th Ave from the current terminus of SR 836 at NW 12th ST/SW 137th Ave to The southeast corner of Tamiami Executive Airport. The North Kendall residents are very vocal and worse for politicians:  They Vote!

Red Route:  Traverses Urban Development Boundary (UDB).  Environmentalists will be up in arms.  Miccosukee Tribe may support the effort if they buy off on the value of an entrance/exit to their casino. If not, they will align with the Environmentalists and Farmers and this route will be doomed from the get go.

Blue Route:  The most cumbersome route going in a southwesterly direction along the UDB until it aligns with Krome Avenue. This may be the path of least resistance but will be challenged by the Farmers and Environmentalists alike as it will bring urban sprawl to the western part of the county nearest to the Everglades. 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/10/3277911/new-expressway-idea-for-southwest.html#storylink=cpy

Reference Links:
New expressway idea for southwest Dade draws fire

Fred Grimm: Build it, and the strip malls will come – to Krome Avenue

MDX Future Projects

MDX State Road 836 Southwest Extension

This conceptual project would extend SR 836/Dolphin Expressway from NW 137th Avenue west and then southwest to SW 136th Street. This will provide interconnectivity with the SR 874/Don Shula Expressway Ramp Connector project. Such a connection would provide improved north-south access and mobility throughout the southwestern section of Miami-Dade County. 

General Information 

Public Kickoff Meeting

Alternatives
Public Workshop

Public Hearing

Project Conclusion Summary

Reference Link:
http://www.transitmiami.com/miami-dade-transit/lost-vision-miami-dade-transit-40-years-on