Pedestrians may get new way to cross New River

Hoping to better connect Fort Lauderdale’s downtown, the state will study whether to build a bridge or dig a tunnel to help pedestrians cross the river.

City commissioners had said they weren’t interested in obstructing the New River with another bridge, and they questioned the need for a new crossAt ing in the vicinity of the U.S. 1 tunnel. But at a public meeting Tuesday, commissioners changed their views after discussing the proposal with state transportation and county schools officials.

“I think this community is with you in trying to connect the two sides,” Mayor Dean Trantalis said.

The state would pay for the crossing, Florida Department of Transportation official Scott Peterson said.

The idea for a safer crossing was sparked by a January 2016 letter to the state from Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, who said the walkway through the tunnel is too hazardous for the few school kids in Victoria Park, a neighborhood north of the tunnel, who are assigned to Harbordale Elementary south of it.

the city meeting, Broward schools chief of staff Jeff Moquin said the letter was one the school district typically sends when school pathways are determined to be unsafe for kids in the area. But that doesn’t mean the district wants a bridge to be built for millions of dollars, just to help a handful of schoolkids avoid riding a bus,

he said.

“The school board would not support an option where the cost would outweigh the benefit,” he said.

Though Runcie’s letter prompted the state’s interest, Peterson said that’s not what’s driving it now. He said a better crossing fits into the city’s vision for a downtown where north and south of the river connect more seamlessly. It would be open to all pedestrians.

“Since FDOT is generously offering to pay,” activist Mary Fertig said, “I say take them up on it and do something positive for the community.”

The state has narrowed down its potential projects to these four options:

1. Do nothing: The Henry Kinney Tunnel under the river has a walkway for pedestrians, but it isn’t wide enough for people in wheelchairs.

2. Enhance existing crossing: Beef up the water taxi or ferry, or find some other way to improve the crossing using existing infrastructure.

3. Go under the river: Dig a new tunnel just for bike riders and pedestrians.

4. Go over the river: Build a low-level, movable bridge. A high-level, fixed bridge has been ruled out.

The next step is completion of a $1.4 million detailed study, FDOT spokeswoman Barbara Kelleher said recently.

Peterson acknowledged that the state spent a year and a half on a feasibility study with very little public exposure, but he said public input would be sought in the next phase of study.

“No decision has been made. No project has been decided upon. The only thing that’s been decided on is we agree there is a need for more biking [and pedestrian] facilities in that location,” he said.

The next study will begin in the spring of 2019, Peterson said, and the public will be invited to a workshop in the fall of 2019 to view the alternatives. A public hearing will be held in the summer of 2020 on the alternative the state prefers.

Final acceptance of the project would come in fall 2020. The project would be funded in 2023.