 |  | In a shining display of community collaboration, I am proud to announce the completion of the City of Hollywood State Road 7 Mobility Hub! The Broward MPO and the City of Hollywood, with support from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), have been working together for the last three years to design and complete this transformative initiative. What makes mobility hubs special is that the hubs provide safe, comfortable, convenient, and accessible spaces for seamless transfers between different modes of transportation. Coordinated and funded by the Broward MPO, these hubs are crucial in supporting first and last-mile connections, enhancing the overall mobility experience. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held last Thursday, January 18, 2024, that brought Josh Levy, City of Hollywood Mayor; Idelma Quintana, City of Hollywood District 6 Commissioner; Cesar Martinez, Planning and Environmental Administrator, FDOT District 4; Coree Cuff Lonergan, Broward County Transit (BCT) Director of Transportation, and others together to recognize this achievement and what it means for Hollywood residents and visitors.
This transformative initiative, located just north of the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 441/SR7, has become a reality thanks to a grant awarded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and skillfully administered by the City of Hollywood and Broward MPO staff. The City of Hollywood State Route 7 Mobility Hub stands as a beacon of progress, offering access to diverse transportation options that make getting around Hollywood and Broward County more seamless than ever. Beyond their transportation function, mobility hubs can be used to create places for the community, enhance the vibrancy of spaces, and promote economic development.
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At the core of the City of Hollywood State Route 7 Mobility Hub are various pedestrian and transit infrastructure enhancements, all designed to elevate the overall experience: new pedestrian-scale lighting that creates a sense of place and improves safety and security; additional bus shelters and benches that provide comfort and convenience along BCT’s busiest bus route; bicycle racks that promote sustainable commuting choices; trash receptacles that help to ensure a clean and pleasant environment; and a strategically placed pedestrian crossing at Taylor Street over the stormwater dry retention area, that seamlessly connects the adjacent neighborhood to the newly completed linear park and mobility hub along the east side of U.S. 441/SR7. | |
The successful execution of this project is a testament to the incredible collaboration between the City of Hollywood, the Broward MPO, and FDOT. Working in harmony, the project team ensured compliance with all regulations and successfully created a place that, beyond infrastructure enhancements, has significantly improved mobility and safety options while addressing drainage concerns and meeting the evolving transit needs of our vibrant community. The City of Hollywood State Route 7 Mobility Hub is an ecosystem of walking, biking, and BCT bus service along the City of Hollywood’s new, dynamic linear park that promotes the MPO’s sustainability and equity goals. As we celebrate this milestone, let's applaud the City of Hollywood for its unwavering commitment to progress, connectivity, and a brighter future for all residents. The State Road 7 Mobility Hub is not just a hub; it's a hub of possibilities and a testament to what can be achieved when a community unites for a common goal. Congratulations, Hollywood, on this remarkable achievement! | |
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MPO Leadership Joins Miramar
Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne for Broward Days
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The Broward MPO team, including our incoming Board Chair, Miramar Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne, took to the road last week for Broward Days, an annual gathering where Broward County champions present key community initiatives before legislators across Florida. Our mission was to make a case for strategic investments in transportation solutions and improved mobility in Broward County. During meetings with legislators, our team expressed a shared goal – advocating for forward-thinking mobility and transportation solutions for Broward County. To ensure we remain in step with Broward County's dynamic and evolving needs, the MPO team explained our key transportation projects, pressing on the need for essential funding support from the state. Broward Days provided an essential platform to bridge the gap between our county's needs and the lawmakers who can transform them into funded action. We were advocating for a better, more connected community that promotes ease of travel, increased opportunity, and overall improved quality of life for residents and visitors. The trip was an essential component of our overarching mission – to engage with community leaders, stakeholders, and residents to ensure Broward County is always moving forward. We're committed to maintaining the momentum achieved at Broward Days by advocating for transportation needs and enriching the quality of life of every Broward County resident. We're not just building roads; we're shaping the future, one mile at a time. | |
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Broward MPO Hosts
Leadership Broward Transportation Day
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The Broward MPO had the privilege of hosting the newest members of Leadership Broward on January 11 for our inaugural Leadership Broward Transportation Day, an event we are proud to have conducted in partnership with the Leadership Broward Foundation. The enthusiastic participants worked collectively, exchanging ideas and strategizing solutions to enhance Broward's transportation infrastructure. Our key objective? To build a transportation system that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and inclusivity. We stand firm in our belief that convening diverse perspectives is a breeding ground for great ideas! We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who took part in this event. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Leadership Broward Foundation as we work collectively to enhance Broward County's quality of life through improved mobility. | |
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Broward MPO Partners with
City of Fort Lauderdale for Mobility Hub Project
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The Broward MPO, in partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale, held a community meeting on January 11 at Broward Health Medical Center. to discuss the 17th Street Mobility Hub Project. The meeting focused on presenting the conceptual design for the SW/SE 17th Street section that runs from SW 9th Avenue to US 1. This Mobility Hub Project seeks to provide safe and comfortable bicycle and pedestrian facilities connected to the proposed Broward Commuter Rail Station. To learn more about this project, click here. | |
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Listen to the Latest Episode of
Our Award-Winning Podcast
| In this episode of our Let’s Talk Transportation podcast, Representative Christine Hunschofsky joins Broward MPO Executive Director Greg Stuart for a look back at her journey from her roots in Boston to her current role as State Representative for District 95. Representative Hunschofsky shares her perspectives on everyday challenges like navigating roundabouts and parallel parking, public service, and finding common ground. Together, they remember former County Commissioner and State Representative Kristin Jacobs and reflect on how she influenced Representative Hunschofsky’s career. Click here to listen now. | |
MPO Employee Spotlight:
Kayla Orazi
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 | | For today's Employee Spotlight, we proudly introduce our new transportation planner, Kayla Orazi. A recent graduate of the University of Florida, Kayla holds a bachelor's degree in Geography and a certificate in GIS. It was during her university years that she cultivated her passion for planning, which eventually led her to join us at the MPO. “I believe that concentrating on Broward County's transportation will have a significant impact on our future commuting methods. I'm eager to see the evolution of this field and anticipate with enthusiasm the forthcoming projects I'll partake in,” shared Kayla. Currently, Kayla plays a pivotal role in numerous projects, including Safe Streets for All (SSFA) and the Route to 2050 MTP. She enhances the team's creativity and productivity by brainstorming innovative ways to augment mobility across diverse cities, crafting engaging surveys, and constructing story maps for various projects. Kayla believes these undertakings will contribute to safer roads and overall transportation within Broward County. When she is not crafting future-focused strategies, Kayla unwinds by going on evening runs, cherishing quality family time, and reading.
| Former FHWA Team Member Joins Broward MPO | |
The Broward MPO welcomes a new member to our professional family - Sonia Rodriguez Reyes. With her impressive background in landscape architecture and environmental management, practical experience from her role with a local engineering firm, and her significant contribution working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Puerto Rico/US Virgin Islands Division, we are excited about the positive impact Sonia will bring to our team and our community! Over the next six months, Sonia will apply her profound skills and passion for creating change, as well as optimizing our transportation infrastructure, to continue making Broward a wonderful place to live and work. We are sure that with Sonia's strong determination, expertise, and dedication, we will achieve our shared goal of providing our residents with sustainable, safe, and effective transportation solutions. Welcome, Sonia!
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