The Fort Lauderdale City Commission took a step forward on one its tunnel projects. This is a transit loop using dedicated electric vehicles to connect downtown and the beach. The Commission accepted the unsolicited proposal from Musk’s The Boring Company to construct a 2.2-mile system.
“This alternative method to get to and from the beach will lessen traffic chokeholds on key east-west routes and gridlock endured by the neighborhoods of the Las Olas Isles and Colee Hammock. The decision gives staff the go-ahead to review the legal, financial and technical aspects of the proposal,” said Mayor Dean Trantalis.
“We hope this could be the start of a larger network that links to other major destinations across the metropolitan area. A partnership with Musk could really reshape how we think about addressing congestion. It’s a cheaper and faster option than anything being considered across the region,” said Trantalis.
The City Commission has also agreed to move forward with a game-changing opportunity for the downtown area; the development of the long-promised new park in growing Flagler Village.
“As we team up with a private partner, the city will preserve the full 2 ¾ acres of green space we promised residents, while at the same time allowing for an iconic cultural center and food emporium designed by world-renowned architect Michael Palladino,” said Trantalis.
The cultural center would feature a venue for entertainment acts as well as space for art exhibits, while the food emporium would have restaurants, fresh food markets and shops. The goal is to finalize the plan by November.
Fort Lauderdale recently celebrated the completion of the most significant infrastructure project in decades, the installation of a new 7-mile sewer pipe to replace the brittle and aging one that was the cause of numerous breaks.
“We used two contractors and innovative drilling techniques to finish the project in just 18 months when a project of this magnitude normally can take three years. The new line is the result of a $65 million investment in our underground utilities that will allow the city to provide reliable wastewater service to our residents for decades to come,” said Trantalis.
Fort Lauderdale will soon move forward with a new water plant to provide safe drinking water for generations to come, and the city will finally address the dangerous flooding episodes brought on by heavy rains and rising sea levels with a new $160 million initiative.
