From the desk of Commissioner Gerry Goodman
By Commissioner Gerry Goodman

When it comes to Sunny Isles Beach, traffic is probably one of the most discussed subjects. Since the incorporation and the development of our city, it’s only approximately two miles north to south and about two blocks east to west.

Our city’s main artery Collins Avenue, which has the most traffic, is a by-pass for cars traveling north & south within and beyond our city. The traffic flows into our city through the two entrances from the west at 163rd Street Bridge and the William Lehman Causeway, also Golden Beach & Hallandale from the north, and Bal Harbor and Surfside from the south.

You hardly see traffic jams on the side streets such as North Bay Road, Atlantic Blvd, 174th Street, 178th Street, etc.

We are a part of Miami-Dade County and State of Florida, and our highways are public. Since Collins Avenue is controlled by the Florida Department of Transportation, of the State of Florida, we have the problem of making changes. Since the east side of Collins Avenue has no streets, only development driveways turning into these developments cause traffic problems. In many areas on Collins Avenue there are problems with ‘no left turns’, ‘no U-turns’, and ‘no turns’ because of the center island. The Department of Transportation is concerned about moving traffic which sounds good. The citizens of Sunny Isles Beach live here and we should have some control of our traffic and more of a say. I have to commend our Police Department, who monitors our traffic and enforces the law, does an excellent job.

We are a beachfront community and presently having 20 beach accesses, which creates a parking issue. We have some public parking lots. People residing in Sunny Isles Beach can walk to the beach. Traffic slows down when drivers going to the beach start looking for parking in Sunny Isles Beach as there is very little parking on our streets. And you can’t park in the strip malls & go to the beach because your car will be towed.

The Traffic and Safety Committee, appointed as one of the mayoral advisory committees, meets once a month to discuss the traffic conditions. They are always attended by a representative from some agency of Miami-Dade County or the Department of Transportation; it is also attended by a representative from the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department.

The meeting is a public meeting attended by the Commissioners and the Mayor. The public is always welcome to attend these meetings.

And please feel free to contact me as your Commissioner at City Hall at 305-792-1752.

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