By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Coral Gables residents received a detailed overview of transportation, mobility and waterway access issues during a community meeting hosted by the Gables Good Government Committee on Feb. 17 at Coral Gables Congregational Church.

About 30 residents attended the meeting, titled Transportation and Mobility: Getting Around in Coral Gables, which featured presentations from the city’s Deputy City Manager Joe Gomez, Assistant Director of Mobility and Sustainability Matt Anderson, Jessica Keller, parking and mobility administrator for the City of West Palm Beach, and waterway advocate John Swain. Among those in attendance were Mayor Vince Lago, former Mayor Don Slesnick and Miami-Dade School Board member Marta Pérez.

The session was primarily informational, though residents had opportunities to ask questions and offer feedback on several issues affecting mobility throughout the city.

Trolley and transportation overview

Anderson outlined Coral Gables’ growing mobility network, including the city’s trolley system, Freebee on-demand vehicles and shared scooters.

He noted that trolley ridership has largely rebounded following the sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic and said the city currently operates 14 trolleys, with a new vehicle recently delivered and being prepared for service. Anderson also described the system’s three routes, including the newest east-west route along Ponce de Leon Boulevard connecting the Douglas Road Metrorail station to Red Road.

The city’s broader mobility options continue to see strong usage. Anderson said the Freebee service provided about 80,000 rides last year, while approximately 200 rental scooters logged roughly 180,000 trips.

One resident voiced frustration with the trolley’s seating, calling it “the worst, most uncomfortable seats” he had experienced and urging the city to improve rider comfort. Anderson acknowledged the concern, explaining that the trolley’s historic design limits some seating options, but said staff would consider possible improvements if residents expressed continued concern.

Traffic calming and future planning

Gomez reviewed the city’s traffic calming program and the process for installing safety measures such as speed cushions and signage. He said the program was established after Coral Gables entered into an interlocal agreement with Miami-Dade County about a decade ago.

Since 2022, the city has received approximately 250 traffic calming requests, resulting in the installation of more than 145 devices aimed at slowing traffic and improving safety in residential areas.

When asked about the anticipated impact of the Underline’s expansion, Gomez said the full effects would not be known until the project is completed and traffic patterns can be studied. However, he acknowledged that the short distance between crossing streets and the expected increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic could create new challenges that the city would need to address.

Understanding transportation priorities

Keller led attendees through an interactive exercise designed to help residents identify their core transportation values and priorities.

Through a series of questions, participants indicated that they placed a higher value on pedestrian safety and safe driving conditions than on expanding transportation choices. They also expressed stronger support for bicycle infrastructure that prioritizes children’s safety over street design improvements aimed primarily at boosting property values.

Keller emphasized that transportation priorities can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but said identifying core values is critical in shaping effective policy. She noted that, in her experience, community values often play a more important role than raw data in determining successful transportation strategies.

Waterway access and future improvements

Swain opened the meeting with a presentation on Coral Gables’ public waterway access points, highlighting four key locations: an access point near Cartagena Park (Cocoplum Circle), Blue Road Open Space Park, Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park, and an access area under the Metrorail bridge on Riviera Drive between Ponce de Leon Boulevard and U.S. 1 that is currently under construction as part of the Underline. Although there were plans to update a boat ramp at the Underline, Swain said the county currently didn’t have funds to do so, leaving a timeline up in the air.

He focused much of his presentation on a proposal to redevelop the area beneath the Le Jeune Road bridge north of Cocoplum Circle into an improved public access space and a way for residents to safely cross LeJeune Road. Swain said the project remains in the early planning stages and is likely several years away.

Gomez added that Miami-Dade County is scheduled to replace the Le Jeune Road bridge in 2027, a project that could influence the timeline and scope of any redevelopment efforts.

Overall, the meeting provided residents with a clearer understanding of the city’s evolving transportation network, traffic calming efforts and long-term mobility planning, while also highlighting opportunities for future improvements to public access and infrastructure.