Brickell Extension of Miami Metromover

The Brickell Extension of the highly successful Miami Metromover system is a 1.1-mile $200-million expansion of the system to serve Miami’s financial and office district south of the Miami River, linking downtown and the Brickell financial and residential district over the river. The Metromover system consists of automated driverless vehicles operating singly or in pairs, traveling along an elevated guideway between on-line stations. Stations are barrier free, with special oversized fare gates, elevators, comfortable ramp grades, and curb cuts, all meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

PBS&J led a design team of 10 firms operating under a strict schedule imposed by the Federal Transit Administration. PBS&J developed the final horizontal and vertical alignments and station locations, evaluated and assisted in determining opportunities for joint development with adjacent properties, provided all design services necessary to implement the extension, and provided services during construction for this section. The 1.1-mile extension included six stations with bridges over significant man-made and natural barriers including the I-95 access ramps and the Miami River, requiring coordination with the county and the U.S. Coast Guard. Measures taken by PBS&J to minimize design and construction delays, while resolving challenges inherent in a project of this magnitude, resulted in this expansion of the Metromover system opening on time and $20 million under budget.

The project was recognized by the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers with the Grand Award, and selected as Project of the Year by the South Florida and Florida sections of the American Society of Civil Engineers.