It's official, light rail on hold

As reported last week, Mayor Philip Levine proposed delaying light rail in Miami Beach until Miami-Dade County prioritizes a connector between the mainland and the Beach and to give voters the ability to approve any future plan. The Commission made clear it was looking for a “binding” commitment and funding plan from the County before proceeding.
 
Commissioners expressed a desire to keep pressure on the County to ensure the baylink is a priority. To keep the City in the forefront of the County’s plans, the Commission directed staff to finish the environmental analysis underway and to further explore federal funding for any future rail plans even though the procurement process is stopping. Commissioner Ricky Arriola noted now that it appears the County may finally be moving forward, “We want to be first in line. We will still go first for voter approval but we have to keep ourselves in the game.”