A bridge too far

Recently the Sun Sentinel published an editorial encouraging decision-makers to move forward on creating a commuter rail service on the eastern railroad tracks, a plan often referred to as a “Coastal Link.” This proposal would help to reduce commuter traffic congestion on the roads and would greatly facilitate our travel needs as new residents continue to migrate to our area from all parts of the world. I fully support this proposal.

Despite the best intentions of this idea, there are unintended consequences that must be addressed first before we can move forward. Fort Lauderdale and most coastal cities were first established along the railroad lines, but communities have grown, stretching from the sawgrass to the seagrass, as they say. East-west travel routes have become as significant as those going north and south, so we need to examine how a coastal link would impact these routes.

One such impact would be across the New River. With dozens of trains making their way along the existing paths, the marine industry would be negatively impacted upriver, with the train bridge being almost always in a down position, completely frustrating an industry upon which the entire region depends. We cannot afford to have them looking elsewhere. As a result, planners have suggested building a bridge over the river, one that is much taller so that even if a train were crossing over, boat traffic could still flow unimpeded. Sounds great, right? Well, not really.

The problem is that if a bridge was built over the river, 55 feet tall is the suggestion, it would need an approach that would take it across Broward and Sistrunk boulevards to the north, and perhaps as far south as Davie Boulevard.

I fear the effect would be to physically divide the city and defeat the renaissance occurring downtown. It could cut off the Historic and Himmarshee districts from the rest of the city. And, it cements the great divide between “this side of the tracks” and “the other side of the tracks,” renewing a sense of segregation that we have tried so hard to leave in the past.

In addition to that, the occupants of the new Society building will find themselves staring straight into a noisy train highway, as will the workers of the proposed city/county joint government center, as the proposed bridge will sit flat up against these structures.

Every city that has ever chosen this approach to meet its transportation needs has always regretted it. Bad decisions take years of suffering to undo at a much greater cost.

Let’s be smart about our choices. And we do have options.

For instance, we could instead build a tunnel. I suspect the backof-a-napkin estimates of cost that are being floated are inflated because a bridge is seen as more expedient. Let’s undertake a better examination of the viability and true cost of a tunnel.

We passed a 1-cent sales tax for transportation, so let’s spend it where it will have the most impact on our communities. In addition, if we move quickly, we may be able to tap into federal infrastructure money, as well as seek contributions from Brightline and the state. Imagine creating more open and green spaces in our downtown.

Imagine less noise pollution from the flurry of trains that will soon pass through our city. And for those who think that I’m only focused on my own residents, just think of all those commuters who come to work in our downtown not having to wait for trains to pass as they’re travelling down Broward, Sunrise or even Davie Boulevard, rushing to work or eager to see their families after a long day at the office. If you think the wait is bad now, just add 30 more trains, many during rush hour.

Let’s take this moment and make a choice that will benefit not just us today, but future generations. They will thank us for it. This is how great cities are built. And we are a great city.

By Dean Trantalis