BROWARD COUNTY, FL- County Commissioners have taken the critical next step necessary to provide commuter rail service to the northern cities in Broward County. 

The Board gave the go ahead to the County Administrator to enter into work authorizations up to $2 million with engineering companies in its library of firms.  The purpose is to develop conceptual designs for a low- to mid-level bridge over the New River as well as the review and analysis of other crossing alternatives necessary to complete the New River Crossing Project.  

"This allows us to begin doing work on the bridge design and also provides an opportunity to do any review or analysis associated with the New River Crossing," said Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero. 

"We need to continue to move this commuter rail project along, and this brings us to the next step.  We're looking at the most economically feasible way to provide commuter rail service throughout the region," said Mayor Nan Rich. 

The New River Crossing project is a vital component of a planned regional mass transit system. Conceptual designs will address a low- to mid-level bridge to accommodate a commuter rail system and marine traffic on the New River. Numerous studies, including a study commissioned jointly with the City of Fort Lauderdale, indicate that a bridge option at the crossing is preferable to a tunnel for many reasons, including economic viability. 

"This will provide us with detailed data and up to date accurate information for our review in order to move forward," said Commissioner Lamar P. Fisher. 

"This is more than just a conceptual design, it's detailed engineering and looking at responding to other alternatives," said Commissioner Michael Udine. 

Work is already underway on the Broward Commuter Rail South (BCR South) project, which will provide a regional connection between Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. The BCR South project will provide 11.5 miles of commuter rail service on the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway corridor with three stations in Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Fort Lauderdale. In order to bring this much needed commuter service further north the rail system has to cross the New River. This will help bring regional service to Broward County, allowing connection to our neighboring counties in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.

The New River Crossing project is a collaborative effort between the Florida Department of Transportation, Broward County, the City of Fort Lauderdale, the Federal Railroad Administration, and other stakeholders.

February 9, 2024

Media Contact:
Kimberly Maroe
Broward County Commission Media Relations/PIO
Office of Public Communications
(954) 357-8053
kmaroe@broward.org