As summer approaches, I’m reflecting on 2025 so far and I’m so proud that we have made progress in many critical transit and public works projects, as well as in the safety and resiliency of our community.
This time of the year is always a reminder to be ready for inclement weather conditions and potential hurricane impacts. Our staff and all county departments stand ready to monitor, prepare, and protect our residents from any severe weather, from hurricanes to floods and extreme heat.
The Department of Transportation and Public Works maintains over 60,000 drainage structures, dozens of pump stations, and hundreds of miles of canals to reduce flood risk and protect our community. Ahead of storms, the County works with the Coast Guard and others to lock down drawbridges 8 hours before winds reach 39 MPH. Transit services—including Metrobus, Metrorail, Metromover, and STS—pause operations 3 hours before sustained tropical storm winds arrive.
We all know that just one storm can cause catastrophic impacts, so we must stay informed and be ready, not only for hurricane season, but also for the summer's extreme heat and rain events that can cause flooding. During rainy season, and late into fall, we experience heavier rains and king tides. Remember to drive safe and prepare your home or business for floods, and to rest and hydrate in the heat.
Let’s have a safe and healthy summer!
With gratitude,
Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor, Miami-Dade County
Adding values to our mission/vision, gearing up for the months ahead
As I complete my second full month as the Director and CEO of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works, my focus turns to strengthening our foundation for success with Mayor Cava and the Board of County Commissioners.
As we build a safer and more accessible transportation system in Miami-Dade, it’s important we build on our aspirational vision of being the world’s best provider of transportation options by adding the values that define us.
May has been a busy month and a springboard to great things to come during the second half of the year. We just celebrated Public Works Week and showcased many of the critical jobs and functions handled by our dedicated public works professionals. We also held a salute to our veterans past and present at our Lehman Rail Yard last week to highlight Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month. Our veterans are always among our most dedicated employees.
While we prepare year-round, May is also the month during which we gear up for the June 1st start of Hurricane Season, with many members of our team participating in meetings and training at the Miami-Dade Emergency Operations Center. DTPW plays one of the most critical roles before, during and after storms.
After getting to know so many people during my first eight weeks, my focus expands to ensure our partners and stakeholders are part of our decision-making process. My highest priority in the coming weeks and months is the launch of the first SMART Program corridor, the South Corridor and Bus Rapid Transit service.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my start in the department; now let’s work together to move our County forward by improving the safe, reliable transportation network our customers depend on!
Thank you,
Stacy L. Miller, P.E.
Director and CEO
Department of Transportation and Public Works
New Metromover service hours
To accommodate important technical improvements and to more closely mirror ridership demand, Metromover service hours are being adjusted starting on Sunday, June 1. Starting on this date, Metromover will open for service daily at 5:30 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. until further notice. This two-and-a-half hour adjustment will allow our contractor to expedite the ongoing work and upgrades to enhance safety and reliability. Miami-Dade Transit riders are encouraged to plan accordingly for the change in operation.
DTPW is taking an aggressive approach to replacing and repairing Metromover subsystems to ensure reliability, safety, and accessibility for many years to come. Once completed, this project will provide the following benefits for passengers: improved system reliability to reduce service disruptions, increased vehicle frequency, increased service flexibility, ability to run loops in different directions when needed, as well as smoother and safer operations. These upgrades will also help to prepare the system for future expansion.
A new way to beat rush hour traffic is coming soon!
Great news for South Dade commuters – a quicker, more reliable, safer, and cost-effective connection from Dadeland to Homestead and back is coming soon. DTPW is putting the final touches and has begun testing for what will be Miami-Dade County’s first-ever Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, scheduled to launch later this year. The new, state-of-the-art, emissions free BRT corridor runs parallel to US-1 along the South Dade TransitWay; and once it opens, the 20-mile-long rapid connection will be the longest battery-electric BRT system in the nation.
The new BRT service will bring many benefits to riders and the community at large. From a more reliable rail-like experience to its 14 brand-new and modern BRT stations to reducing the travel times on the current corridor, the new system will more efficiently, comfortably, and expeditiously connect the residents of South Dade with jobs, education, and quality of life. Riders will save time when riding the entire length of the corridor during peak times, making it easier for commuters to spend more time with loved ones at home or earn a living instead of spending time in traffic.
From designing and building to maintaining our roads, bridges, canals, drainage systems, and much more, our public works professionals are always ready to serve our County and are resilient as ever in rising above any challenges they may face. During this year’s National Public Works Week which ran from May 18th to the 24th, and every day of the year, we say ‘thank you’ to our public works heroes who work behind the scenes to keep #ourcounty safe and moving. Some of their more salient achievements in 2024 alone include resurfacing 136 miles of roadway, building 205 miles of new sidewalks, cleaning 442,461 feet of drainage pipes, and filling 10,433 potholes.
Their work doesn’t go unnoticed and fits right in with this year’s Public Works Week theme - People, Purpose, Presence, which highlights the values that drive our public works professionals. Throughout the entire week, some of our finest crews were featured on DTPW’s social media channels to honor those who make a lasting impact in every corner of Miami-Dade County.
May is a month of celebration for various communities that make up Miami-Dade County, some of which include our military veterans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and our Haitian community. To honor our communities and foster a sense of belonging within our transportation network, DTPW joined Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Marleine Bastien during a vibrant celebration of Haitian Flag Day held at Government Center. Some highlights from the festivities included music, dance, food,art, and a bazaar of local Haitian American vendors, all anchored by the presence of a beautifully wrapped Metrobus now running on routes frequented by Haitian American residents.
May was also Military Appreciation Month, and we held a salute to our veterans, past and present, at our Lehman Rail Yard. If you missed the Haitian Flag Day festivities, you are invited to join DTPW and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava as we gather once again to celebrate the rich and important contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with music, food and fun at Government Center on Friday, May 30, starting at 11 a.m. Come join us and let’s celebrate our community together.
A visionary leader and colleague - Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales
A Miami-Dade native and Miami-Dade County innovator, Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales is highly respected and admired by residents, colleagues, and county employees for his three decades of exemplary public service. Jimmy, who is a passionate advocate of public transportation, joined Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s team as Chief Operating Officer in December 2020. His portfolio includes DTPW and several other, critical county departments. He also served simultaneously as the Director of DTPW for six months in 2021.
As a young student, Jimmy excelled in school, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1984 and regularly using transit here and in Boston. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Three years later, he attained a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School, graduating Magna Cum Laude. From 1996-2004, he had the honor of serving on the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioner as the Commissioner for District 7.
Perhaps the most significant achievement during that time was the passage of the half penny transportation surtax and the creation of the People’s Transportation Plan, which he staunchly supported. Later, he had the privilege of serving as the City Manager of Miami Beach from 2013-2020.
Under his leadership, he rolled out a citywide trolley system that moved nearly 5 million people annually by the time he joined the County in 2020. He was also instrumental in creating the largest network of bike lanes in Miami Beach and a pedestrian/bike path along the beach that covered the seven-mile length of the city.
When asked what fuels his passion for people and public service, he simply shared, “The people I work with and the ability to leave a legacy for my hometown.” Those who know him well say that he’s an excellent dominoes player. He also enjoys boating with family and friends, as well as live music and shows. An easy going, friendly colleague and visionary leader, Jimmy’s mantra is “be kind to the people you meet on your way up, because you meet the same people on the way down,” and he strongly believes that the best transportation system is one that prioritizes people over cars.
Addressing high-traffic areas with innovative solutions
It is no secret that the streets of the Downtown Miami and Brickell areas are among the most congested in Miami. This is due, in part, to the high volume of delivery trucks and other large vehicles that require adequate street and parking space to avoid interfering with traffic flow. To help alleviate this problem, DTPW has launched the SMART Curbs Program which aims to help implement safe, clean, and connected delivery solutions throughout the county. The program combines proven cutting-edge technology, sustainable logistics, and community feedback to create safer streets, reduce emissions, and enhance safety and quality of life for everyone.
Funded by the USDOT Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program, this initiative, which is part of a larger nationwide collaborative effort, will include SMART Loading Zones throughout Downtown Miami and Brickell. These zones are dedicated spaces designed to streamline freight deliveries, reduce curbside congestion, improve urban safety, and advance zero-emission transportation goals. By addressing high-traffic areas with innovative solutions, SMART Loading Zones will create a more organized and efficient curbside experience for residents, businesses, and delivery drivers.
DTPW interns shine in the classroom and PIO workroom
Jorge Chacon and Richemonde Israel, students at Penn State and Florida International University, respectively, are the two most recent DTPW External Affairs Division interns who have made significant contributions to the department.
Jorge interned last summer and came to the department by way of the successful Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) internship program. A Miami Native, South Miami High School Cobra, and Penn State University graduate, Jorge earned a Broadcast Journalism major and a Minor in Sports Studies at Penn State. Now back in Miami, he aspires to work in the communications industry wherever his educational foundation and strong family and friends’ base take him. A soccer fan, Jorge gets most inspired by "scoring goals" for the community with strong communications that inform residents about critical government services in English and Spanish.
Richemonde, who completed an internship this past spring semester, is a product of the County’s central internship program. She is also a Miami native and a graduate of North Miami Senior High School. She is currently a senior at Florida International University and is majoring in PR, Advertising, and Applied Communication. In addition to inspiring her younger sister and being a Marvel fan, her superpower is strong communications for residents regarding access to important programs in English and Kreyol. She is also very proud and inspired by her Haitian heritage.
DTPW salutes these young leaders, thanks them, and wishes them well wherever their goals and powers take them!
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Miami-Dade County Transportation & Public Works
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