A prolonged dispute over control of Miami-Dade’s tollways has led to a delay in payment for a project that has been operational for five years.
The Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust, overseeing transportation tax funds, has hesitated to approve payment for the Dolphin Station Park and Ride Terminal, which is now costing almost double the initial agreed amount.
The project was initially budgeted at $10 million but has inflated to $18.2 million due to additional features that were added to improve the terminal.
These enhancements include electric vehicle charging stations, an air-conditioned transit hub, a transit facility gateway, and modern parking management, surveillance, and bus information systems.
Construction on the terminal began in 2016, under the oversight of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX).
However, ongoing legal battles over the control of the tollways, which only concluded recently, have resulted in the Greater Miami Expressway Agency (GMX) taking over authority, and now it seeks to collect payment for MDX’s work on the terminal.
Last week, the responsibility for bill collection shifted to the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust, which had already approved surtaxes for the terminal.
However, just before the trust’s meeting, it received a memo from the county requesting an additional $8.2 million from these taxes to cover the rising costs, catching the trust off guard.
The trust expressed frustration with the county’s timing, as they felt they had insufficient time to thoroughly review such a significant financial request before the meeting.
One trust member, Peggy Bell, pointed out that the new cost is nearly double the original budget approved in 2016.
Timing was a critical concern for several members of the trust.
“It’s disheartening to see that an item this big is being given to us at the last minute,” remarked Ms. Bell.
Another trust member, Robert Ruano, added, “I just saw this today. It’s $8 million. The original was $10 million and we’re raising it by $8 million. That’s a concern, and a concern that I’m not really reviewing it totally.”
Stacy Miller, head of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works, addressed the trust, explaining the urgency of the payment.
“This is just us coming back and paying for those components that we ourselves requested to be added to the park and ride facility that have already been completed and functioning for several years,” she said.
Miller also clarified the background of the legal disputes, stating, “There were multiple lawsuits associated with whether MDX was still an entity or GMX was an entity. Those have all been resolved, so ultimately it was who do you write a check to as to who you determined was the entity you were still recognizing.”
Despite Miller’s explanation, the trust ultimately voted not to approve the additional funds that day, requesting further study and a more thorough review of the request.
With the lack of trust approval, the county is unable to tap into the surtax money, delaying payment and complicating the resolution of other pending agreements with GMX.
As the situation unfolds, both the county and the Greater Miami Expressway Agency express a keen intent to accelerate various pending agreements affected by this financial impasse.
image source from：miamitodaynews
