Miami International Airport Skytrain expected to resume service this spring, Mayor Cava says
MIAMI -- Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Thursday that expected repairs to the Skytrain at Miami International Airport should be completed by the end of March.
The mayor made the announcement during a morning news conference in which she said the county is prepared to continue its efforts to improve infrastructure at the facility.
"This is a historic moment for MIA," she said during the event. "We're cementing the Miami airport as a leader for the world."
"No vision or courage." That's how Cava blamed previous administrations for not investing enough in Miami International Airport.
Something she says the county's now doing. However, it will take billions of dollars and many years to fix many of MIA's issues.
"It is the economic powerhouse for our entire county."
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava talks about Miami International Airport with pride. MIA's website shows it generates nearly $32 Billion annually in business revenue.
"The powerful economic engine has been at the center of decades of neglected maintenance."
The signs are everywhere.
The Skytrain in Concourse D has been out of service since last September.
"Due to cracks in the concrete columns that were poured 25 years ago."
Cava expects it to be up and running by March.
"It's an inconvenience after an inconvenience."
Other signs block access to elevators, moving walkways, and escalators throughout the airport. MIA's Director and CEO says some are 40 to 60 years old.
"To put that in some context, the average lifespan of a unit, with getting hypertechnical, is 20-25 years. A lot of our equipment is way behind its useful life."
Cava believes delays in addressing repairs started with a need for more investment and finding the right contractor.
"It took us two years to change out the contract that could work 24/7 to move forward aggressively."
So, with the county commission's backing, $7 Billion will be put into capital infrastructure investment at the airport, with another $1.7 billion in maintenance.
"Came in as mayor and saw the problems."
But the problems, as she said, were decades in the making, including her time as a county commissioner.
"We're here because I prioritized deferred maintenance."
With renewed optimism, Cava intends to modernize the world's 8th busiest airport to enhance passenger experience.
"It's critical we keep this global gateway running."
And that starts with a functioning Skytrain.
Cava tells us the county cannot fix the past. But can move forward to transform MIA into what she calls a "future-ready destination."
The ongoing repairs to Terminal D at Miami International Airport have been underway for at least four months.
A memo was sent out last December by Mayor Cava that cited citing structural damage to parts of the airport, which led to the shutdown of the Skytrain on Sept. 15.
Travelers have taken notice of the inconvenience.
"The train is not working, the move walker is not working, the escalator stairs are not working. Basically, everything that is technical is not working, which is an inconvenience because you have to like walk a really long distance," said Corali Bonnete.
There are only a few options if you must use Terminal D, either you walk or you hop on one of the golf cart trollies or shuttle buses supplied by the airport.
"It's good for me. I get some cardio, but I would imagine it's not as fun for some of the older folks," said Jason Wilson.
People we spoke to say it's time to fix the issue.
"This is a very popular airport. It shouldn't be an inconvenience having things that should be functional, not working," said Bonnete.