Palmetto Bay to hold emergency meeting on controversial bridge project
MIAMI - The Village of Palmetto Bay will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss a controversial bridge project.
In an exclusive interview, Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham met with CBS News Miami to discuss the new developments surrounding the 87th Avenue Bridge.
Cunningham told CBS News Miami she learned the contract to build the bridge was awarded to a company "responsible" for the 2018 Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse that claimed six lives.
"This is about questions relating to public safety and the community has to have answers about public safety," said Cunningham.
She called for a special council meeting on Thursday to address the issue.
"My understanding of the county process is this was a contractor that was administratively plugged in, I don't know by whom. But through whatever their process is, so I assume the county mayor could say hey we need to take a break here," said Cunningham.
Joe Miorelli, a Palmetto Bay resident, spoke exclusively with CBS News Miami about the letter he sent to community leaders, expressing concerns regarding MCM, the company that awarded the contract, when he made the connection between it and the FIU bridge. He said that he and many others have serious issues with the decision.
"How open was the bidding process? What were the decisions made in that bidding process and why was someone who was involved in such a catastrophe still even on the allowed bidders list?" Miorelli asked. "We don't know, but for some reason, they are."
An attorney for MCM sent CBS News Miami the response it sent to the Village of Palmetto Bay.
In it, Eric Zichella Principal said the village tried to stop the bridge when it was originally considered and then the county decided it was in the public's best interest.
"Thereafter, MCM won this project thru (sic) an open public bidding competition and it is presently under construction. Most respectfully, casting aspersions on MCM integrity and capabilities, is not right," wrote Principal.
"The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a thorough investigation into the unfortunate collapse of the FIU pedestrian bridge, which lasted nearly two years and included the review of four different 24/7 video recordings of the project, from four different camera angles, culminating in a comprehensive 140-page report. The NTSB determined that the collapse was due to a design error, not a construction error. At no point did the NTSB attribute responsibility for the collapse to MCM. It is crucial to set the record straight and avoid spreading misinformation that could unjustly harm MCM's standing and its employees," continued the statement.
Principal also pointed out that MCM has successfully completed multiple projects for the Florida Department of Transportation and Miami-Dade County, including the construction and/or refurbishment of 14 bridges.
CBS News Miami also reached out to County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. In a statement, she said her top priority is the safety of all residents and neighborhoods.
"I have opposed the construction of a bridge on 87th Ave since I was a Commissioner in the District and worked hard to support and put in place different measures to address traffic congestion in the area. Some of these measures include the construction of traffic circles at key intersections, additional Bus Rapid Transit stations on US 1, and extending smart traffic lights on US 1," she wrote in the statement.
She said the bridge was approved by the county commission in 2021 and the county's transportation department proceeded with the process as required.
"I have been in touch with Mayor Cunningham over the last few days and requested an immediate review of the contract process in response to concerns from Palmetto Bay residents. The Department will be prepared to share all the facts at the upcoming Council Meeting on Thursday," Cava said in the statement.
CBS News Miami recently met with a group of neighbors who shared their concerns about the bridge. The project was created to provide connectivity for drivers but those opposed to it said it would create more traffic problems in their neighborhood and impact their quality of life.
They took the issue to court and lost. They appealed and just found out the court will hear their appeal. Cunningham explained the next steps in the process.
"Step one is to get the questions of the residents answered and that's my goal for this Thursday. Step two will be to look towards October 1st which is when we will be able to have our voices heard in front of the 3rd DCA and that will determine whether the bridge move forward or doesn't move forward," said Cunningham.
