Broward County unveiled three design concepts for two new rail bridges over Fort Lauderdale’s New River, which a consulting firm estimates will cost up to $495 million to build.
The county released the proposed bridge designs to enable the creation of a future commuter train that will travel between Jupiter and Miami along the Florida East Coast Railway tracks, which freight and Brightline trains use. San Francisco-based consulting firm TYLin designed them as part of its 96-page report to the county.
Freight and Brightline trains currently cross a 1970s-era drawbridge that sits 4.5 feet above the mean high water line and closes dozens of times a day, interrupting boat traffic and disrupting Broward’s $9 billion marine industry. Because of this, local officials have capped passenger train traffic to 36 trips a day.
TYLin’s proposals include a new bascule bridge about 5 feet above the mean water line for freight and a separate rail bridge 40 feet above the mean high water line for passenger trains. To make them aesthetically pleasing, TYLin proposed three concepts: The Mast, Sea Glass and Fish Hook.
Joseph Yesbeck, TYLin’s project manager, claims the newly proposed conceptual bridges would pioneer their kind in the U.S. “No other moveable rail bridge incorporates significant aesthetic elements like these do,” Yesbeck stated. “If the project moves forward, this will effectively put Broward County on the map as the only U.S. County with such a bridge.”
Cost Estimates
TYLin estimates the cost for both bridges between $470 million and $495 million.
In a news release, Broward County Mayor Nan Rich said the compact bridge designs will stay within the railroad property boundaries and eliminate the need to acquire private property.
“The county has outlined a process which will give stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the final design and ensure that it reflects local values and priorities as much as possible, resulting in a new iconic landmark,” she said.
However, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said the bridge designs TYLin consultants showed him will still disrupt the city’s burgeoning downtown, and may even require demolishing local businesses. He also told the Business Journal that building the bridges will cost more than TYLin estimated.
Fort Lauderdale officials have insisted that a tunnel for passenger trains is the best and only option for the city. A cost estimate by BDO USA, issued in July, stated that builders could construct a train tunnel for $888 million. Broward County officials, though, said a tunnel would cost in excess of $1 billion.
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$1 Billion Question: Bridges or Tunnel for Broward County’s Rail Future?
Broward County officials view the new bridges as essential for improving rail infrastructure, but the designs have sparked concerns among Fort Lauderdale city officials, including Mayor Dean Trantalis. He worries that the new bridges could disrupt the city’s expanding downtown area and might even necessitate the demolition of local businesses. Fort Lauderdale has proposed an alternative: a tunnel for passenger trains, estimating its cost at around $888 million. However, Broward County believes the actual cost would exceed $1 billion. The ongoing debate between building bridges or a tunnel has hindered efforts to secure additional funding. Both sides continue to work towards finding a solution that balances cost and community impact.
South Florida’s continuous growth intensifies the urgency for efficient, modernized rail infrastructure. While Broward County and Fort Lauderdale officials continue to debate bridge versus tunnel solutions, Broward County maintains its commitment to finding a path forward that satisfies commuters, local businesses, and the broader marine industry. The planned commuter rail projects, along with the construction of new bridges, will reshape the transportation landscape in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, ushering in a new era of mobility for the region.
Funding for the two new rail bridges over New River
The disagreement between Broward and Fort Lauderdale officials has frustrated efforts to find additional funding for new bridges.
Miami-Dade and Broward county officials are negotiating with Miami-based Brightline for rail access that would allow both counties to establish a new commuter train system similar to Tri-Rail along the FEC tracks. Brightline, which has exclusive passenger rights to the FEC tracks, wants $330 million from Miami-Dade in exchange for that access. Officials are negotiating a similar deal with Broward, though that system would end at a junction near Broward Health Medical Center until they find a solution for the New River.
New River Rail Bridge Project Factsheet
Project Overview:
Construction of two new rail bridges over Fort Lauderdale’s New River
Designed to accommodate future commuter train service between Jupiter and Miami
Proposed Design:
Two separate bridges:
- Bascule bridge for freight (5 feet above mean water line)
- Fixed bridge for passengers (40 feet above mean high water line)
Three design concepts for two new rail bridges over New River:
The Mast
Sea Glass
Fish Hook
Cost Estimates:
TYLin (consulting firm) estimate: $470-495 million for both bridges
Fort Lauderdale Mayor suggests actual costs may be higher
Alternative Proposal:
Fort Lauderdale officials prefer a tunnel option
BDO USA estimates tunnel cost at $888 million
Broward County estimates tunnel cost over $1 billion
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