The federal government has recommended a $263.65 million funding allocation towards a $538.07 million commuter rail project in Miami, designed to connect Downtown Miami with Aventura and improve regional public transportation.

The federal government has recommended an allocation of $263.65 million towards a new commuter rail project in Miami, aimed at enhancing public transit and reducing reliance on cars in one of Florida’s most densely populated areas.

The funding would serve as a portion of the $538.07 million needed for the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) to execute the Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project. The initiative will establish a 13.5-mile rail line connecting Downtown Miami with the City of Aventura, using the existing tracks of the Florida East Coast Railway. The project includes the construction of seven stations and aims to serve as a vital link in the region’s transportation network, promising to improve connections across urban and commercial zones.

State and local contributions will supplement the federal investment, with $103.50 million coming from the Florida Department of Transportation and $170.92 million funded by Miami-Dade County through the SMART Plan Fund, part of the People’s Transportation Plan (PTP).

“The project is planned to improve regional transit connections and increase transit opportunities in the corridor,” the project proposal reads. “The MiamiCentral Station will connect to Tri-Rail, the regional commuter rail system, and serve as a Downtown Miami multimodal transportation hub providing connections to Brightline, Tri-Rail, Metrorail (heavy rail), Metromover (an elevated people mover), and the existing Miami-Dade County bus system.”

The commuter rail is planned to operate daily, with the goal of accommodating the mobility needs of an area characterized by significant commercial activity and residential density. It will feature five new stations, each equipped with park-and-ride facilities, alongside the acquisition of 20 rail vehicles and upgrades to existing rail infrastructure.

Anticipated to commence operations in December 2027, the project is expected to significantly boost daily ridership, jumping from an estimated 9,400 linked trips in 2023 to 17,100 by 2045.