FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The mayor of Fort Lauderdale and officials in Broward County are at odds over the best way to handle expanded rail operation by Brightline — and proposed future commuter rail service — across the New River in the middle of town.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports Mayor Dean Trantalis wants the current drawbridge replaced by a tunnel, which would cost $3 billion but Trantalis says would be the best long-term option for downtown. But the county commission prefers a bridge, which would cost significantly less — $303 million to $572 million, depending on design.
Trains currently cross the river on a drawbridge completed in 1978, replacing a Florida East Coast Railway structure dating to 1912. But the increased frequency of Brightline trains with service now operating to Orlando — and a proposed commuter rail operation slated to begin construction in 2025 — is an issue for marine traffic, leading to the push to replace the current bridge with something that would be less disruptive for boaters.
A tunnel would have to burrow 66 feet below the mean high-water level of the river, would be 3.5 miles long, and would require an underground station. It would take more than 10 years to build and cost more than $3 billion to maintain over a 50-year period, in addition to the $3 billion in construction costs.
Meanwhile, a bridge with 56½ of vertical clearance, which would eliminate the need for openings, would be 2.5 miles long, take 8½ years to build, and cost $80.7 million to maintain over the 50-year period, according to consultant Whitehouse Group. A mile-long bridge with 25 feet of clearance, which would still require some openings, would take 7½ years to build and cost $45.7 million to maintain.
The county commission clearly favors the bridge, the Sun Sentinel reports, even though Commission John Herbst said a tunnel is likely the better option, but not from a cost standpoint. Current plans call for the federal government to pay for 50% of the project with the county and state to each pay 25%.
Trantalis, when asked if the city would have design input on a bridge, told the newspaper, “There will be no bridge, so I’m not even going to answer that question.” City commissioners will address the issue at a Nov. 7 meeting, then meet with the county commissioners at a still undetermined date.
But Herbst noted that it’s ultimately the county’s decision because of its financial role. “I think we lack the financial resources [for a tunnel],” he said. “Everything is a matter of money. Time and money.”
What size pumps would be needed to keep a miles-long tunnel deep below the water table free & clear? What happens if they fail (hurricane, no power)?
Well powered passenger trains should have little problem with a short, steep grade. Say a 1,500 feet ramp at under 4%, double tracked, on an embankment up to the smaller bridge at the river, with concrete sidewalls to minimize embankment width. Keep the current bridge for less frequent freights, which should yield enough time for boat traffic.
If the mayor wants a tunnel, let him finance it. But as ocean levels rise, his tunnel may have sea water flowing gleefully into the portals during all those hurricanes.
Teh years to build a tunnel and 7 1/2 years to build a bridge ! Amazing how in this day and age with all the modern equipment and technology that we have how it takes so long to build and complete things. The nation’s first transcontinential railroad only took 7 years to build and that was over some of the most rugged and dangerous areas to build through and with very primitive construction methods and equipment by today’s standards. Even in New York City the first subway line from City Hall to 145the Street only took 4 years to build and complete. That too was built with construction methods and equipment that was at best dated by the standards of today. Look at the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore that now is 150 years old and will most likely be in service for several more years until they finally start work on the new tunnel which will take a decade or more to complete, trains will still be operating through that old tunnel on a daily basis for a few years more. When you see how long it takes to build and complete these projects of today whether it be a tunnel or a bridge, the Key West extension that the Florida East Coast built in the early 20th Century is truly an engineering wonder and marvel and although the line was abandoned and sold to the state of Florida in 1935 after a hurricane destroyed the right of way and with great loss of life besides being a money loser for FEC during its years of running trains to Key West, large portions of the right of way including bridges and viaducts still standing today and being used as fishing piers. The old railroad builders and civil engineers and thousands of construction workers who built these lines with massive tunnels and bridges and through some of the most dangerous and harshest terrain and natural barriers like mountains, rivers, lakes and like the Key West extension over the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean and did it with the methods and materials and technology that today would be considered primitive and dated deserve crdit and honarable mention for what was accomplished when considered to what little gets built today and with all the modern machinery , tools , materials and technology of today. As it is often said, they just dont build and make things today like they used to and also the things built today dont have the longevity or last as long as the stuff built over 100 years ago
Joseph C. Markfelder
I am struggling with those tunnel numbers. Especially the 50 year cost. $60 million a year for 50 years? Before SS Sandy, did the Port Authority spend $60 million a year on the Hudson Tunnels? No way.
Do you think MTA is spending $60 million a year to maintain the tunnel for the new East Line? Not a chance.
Someone is cooking ye olde books here.
Having used the highway tunnel daily for years in the early 1980’s, my vote is for the RR option.
With all the rising seawater tides and erosion one reads about these days, why not consider a reroute further inland, sort of like that recent South Shore reroute in Michigan City.
South Shore is still in the same ROW in Michigan City. They are just changing the street running. Also, the project was not driven by climate change.
Clayton, thanks for that South Shore correction.
$3 billion to maintain over 50 years?
Bridge or tunnel. In the end, it’s all, predictably, a matter of time, money and wisdom.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün