FTA Advances Broward County Commuter Rail South Project With $164MM Commitment

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has advanced Florida’s Broward County Commuter Rail South project into the Engineering phase of its Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, allowing Broward County Transit to begin engineering activities, demolition, utility relocation, property acquisition and other pre-construction work.

FTA is committing approximately $164 million to the project, which will extend commuter rail service from Aventura in Miami-Dade County to Fort Lauderdale, providing a north-south transit connection between the two counties.

The project would support 10.5 miles of commuter rail service along the existing Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway corridor, connecting northeastern Miami-Dade County with Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, the Dania Beach/Airport District and neighborhoods south of downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Plans call for three stations and new rail vehicles to serve the proposed route.

“Transportation and mobility are all about improving the functionality of cities,” said FTA Acting Deputy Administrator Matthew Cahill. “This project will help connect South Floridians to essential services such as healthcare, education and employment centers.”

The Engineering phase will allow Broward County Transit to invest in engineering work, demolition, utility relocation, property acquisition and other non-construction activities, including the procurement of specialized equipment and materials.

The CIG program provides federal funding for major transit projects through a multi-step, multi-year process. FTA’s anticipated $164 million funding commitment remains subject to completion of financial, technical and legal requirements, as well as annual congressional appropriations.