Approval of this item will authorize the MPO to enter into an agreement with Kimely-Horn & Associates, Inc. to conduct a planning study that will evaluate the feasibility of improvements at five at-grade railroad crossings along the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) in the City of Fort Lauderdale by tunneling under the railroad to reduce road congestion.

On March 13, 2024, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) informed the MPO that its project to conduct a Feasibility Study for roadway-railroad underpasses at five Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) at-grade crossings in the City of Fort Lauderdale was selected for funding through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program. On November 25, 2024, the USDOT and MPO executed the Assistance Agreement for the project, including obligating an 80% share of Federal funding. On February 24, 2025, the City of Fort Lauderdale provided the required 20% local match for the project through a funding agreement approved by the MPO Board on December 12, 2024 (for the agreement, please see Attachment 1).
 
With funding for the project secured, the MPO requested, through its General Planning Consultants (GPC)/Library of Service Providers, subject-matter expertise and technical assistance for the Feasibility Study. The objective of the Study is to improve transportation efficiency, reduce traffic congestion, enhance economic development, and strategize infrastructure hardening for future growth. The scope of work includes a feasibility assessment of constructing underpasses at five at-grade railroad crossings (Davie Boulevard, Broward Boulevard, Sistrunk Boulevard, Andrews Avenue, and Sunrise Boulevard) along the FEC in the City of Fort Lauderdale as well as project management (scheduling, budgeting, and quality control), public and stakeholder engagement, data collection (train schedules, traffic patterns, crash data, utility mapping, etc.), existing and future conditions analysis (transportation demand, safety, infrastructure hardening, and economic development), demographic analysis (population trends, employment patterns, and transportation access), alternatives analysis (developing and evaluating potential underpass designs), and final report preparation (documenting findings, creating renderings, and estimating costs).

On February 21, 2025, MPO staff advertised to firms within the MPO’s GPC/Library of Service Providers (consisting of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.; Kittelson & Associates, Inc.; and Whitehouse Group Inc.) to provide these services. Three proposals were received. Three individual reviewers (one MPO staff member and two City of Fort Lauderdale staff members) reviewed and ranked the responses. On March 4, 2025, MPO staff evaluated the rankings and recommended to the Executive Director that contract negotiations begin with the overall highest-ranked firm, Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. MPO staff entered negotiations with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. on March 13, 2025.
 
For the proposed Task Work Order No. 24 with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., please see Attachment 2. The Task Work Order provides for the services mentioned above for 24 months from the Notice to Proceed for an amount not to exceed $1,679,959.58. MPO and consultant staff will be available at the upcoming meeting to address any questions or comments.

MPO staff recommends approval of the proposed GPC Task Work Order No. 24 with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. for Fort Lauderdale Roadway-Railroad Underpass Feasability Study in an amount not to exceed $1,679,959.58.

If you have any questions about this item, please contact Christopher Restrepo at (954) 876-0061 or restrepoc@browardmpo.org