Encourage Sustainable Transportation – Preliminary studies and stakeholder involvement demonstrated how a BRT option enhances community goals related to multi-modal transportation, community mobility, and transit-oriented development.

Plan for Sustainable Communities – Alternative analyses conducted early on led to the selection of a project with many sustainable performance features.  These assessments considered the overall impact of the project on long-term sustainability of the Miami-Dade community and region and the BRT option emerged as the clear front-runner. The South Corridor project also implemented a comprehensive process to connect with community goals and aspirations for the project.

Stakeholder Involvement – Due to the impact on five municipalities, this project required an extensive collaboration process which began in the planning stages and was sustained throughout.  The collaborative approach took into account the challenges presented by disparities in communities along the project corridor and the need to foster participation in the decision-making process.

Mobility and Access – The project goals and objectives were informed by identiying long-term mobility needs during the planning stage. The new BRT system and associated elements, such as the shared-use path, reconnect the region while also forming new connections within and outside of the corridor resulting in increased capacity, managed congestion, reduced vehicle distance traveled, and lower accident rates. Reflecting the principles of Transit Oriented Development (TOD), the project locates the stations within a half-mile radius of higher-density and mixed-use walkable/bikeable development that prioritizes multi-modal connections.

Views and Local Character – The project team identified community values and concerns regarding protection and enhancement of local views and character, including protecting landscape features during construction. As the corridor’s character changes along the corridor, retaining existing features while enhancing others required a strategic balance. Additionally, the Art in Public Places Program was used to infuse the character of the community into the iconic stations either through lighting features or paintings.

Public Space and Amenities – At each station an iconic vault-like canopy will shelter riders from inclement weather, while allowing natural light to come through the roof skylights. Additional amenities are provided to improve the passenger flow and ease of use at stations. Real-time bus arrival displays, center platform loading, off-board fare collection, surveillance cameras, bicycle parking areas, and improved lighting in and around stations are among the many enhancements.

Integration with Existing Systems – The project strengthens multi-modal transportation and rehabilitates the stations not slated for replacement. Focusing on the resilience of the transportation system overall, this project also demonstrated rigor in seeking and learning from public input on how the new infrastucture should address existing deficiencies in areas like connectivity to neighborhoods, accessibility and safety. It is also noteworthy that two safety improvement projects are being undertaken as part of the BRT development, and construction takes place entirely within the County’s or FDOT’s) right‐of‐ way.

Stimulate Economic Well-Being – The project is estimated to create approximately 3,900 jobs during its design, construction, and operation. The local economy will benefit from reduced congestion and increased access to job opportunities. By 2040, population and employment within a half-mile radius of each of the BRT stations is predicted to be 30% greater than the business-as-usual conditions identified prior to the start of project.