23rd Street Complete Streets Study

With a daily population exceeding 200,000 and a residential population over 90,000, Miami Beach experiences significant roadway congestion that adversely affects local business operations, residents’ quality of life, and the visitor experience. In response, the City of Miami Beach implemented a Transportation Master Plan in 2015 that prioritizes non-motorized transportation methods, like walking and biking, and public transportation over personal automobiles to alleviate traffic issues.

Complete streets projects benefit metropolitan cities because they enhance safety for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders, by reducing crashes through well-designed infrastructure. They promote economic growth by offering access to multiple modes of transportation for connecting to local businesses. Additionally, they encourage healthier lifestyles by promoting walking and bicycling, improve environmental quality by reducing emissions, and save long-term costs by integrating necessary features into initial designs, avoiding expensive retrofits.

To initiate the 23^rd Street Complete Streets project, the City of Miami Beach needed a study that collected and analyzed data on existing conditions, identified key challenges and opportunities, and engaged a diverse array of stakeholders to devise a practical, multimodal transportation solution. The project area included 23^rd Street between Pine Tree Drive and the Beachwalk, 22^nd Street between Park Avenue and the Beachwalk, and Park Avenue between 23^rd Street and 22^nd Street.

GFT provided transportation planning and preliminary engineering services for the City of Miami Beach Transportation and Mobility Department by performing a complete streets analysis that included thorough data collection of 23^rd Street’s current conditions. The feasibility study included extensive public and stakeholder involvement to ensure that the perspectives of nearby businesses, residents, and other organizations were integrated into the multimodal transportation planning process.

The team created a conceptual 23^rd Street design that enhances transportation efficiency and safety while offering all users a convenient and comfortable travel experience. Once finalized, 23^rd Street will transform a bustling thoroughfare into a complete street that provides safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.