Benefits of New Rail Crossings
The current bridge at the New River Crossing location is outdated, visually unappealing and prone to mechanical breakdowns. These breakdowns cause significant delays for the marine industry – a major economic engine in Fort Lauderdale – and aggravate the already-existing problem of the bridge's height. At just four feet above the water level, the bridge must be opened to allow boats to navigate the New River but remain down for both freight rail and Brightline. The frequent breakdowns also cause delays for rail and the marine industry.
Modern, aesthetically appealing bridges at the New River Crossing would address these issues, while dramatically enhancing the urban landscape by adding an iconic, instantly recognizable landmark to the city's downtown. At 40 feet above the waterline, the first bridge would be for passenger trains, both Brightline and Broward County's new commuter rail. The second bridge would be only for freight rail, meaning it could remain open much more often than the current bridge, which currently must accommodate both freight rail and Brightline. All this ensures that marine traffic will flow more smoothly, while adding much-needed commuter rail capacity to improve commute times for Broward County residents, workers, and visitors.
Importantly, the iconic bridge system offers a price tag that is substantially less than the other crossing option, a highly expensive tunnel that would take longer to complete.
2022: FDOT
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$1.82 billion
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$18-28 million
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N/A
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N/A
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2023: Broward-Fort Lauderdale Study
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$2.6 billion*
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$4.6 million*
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$20.6 million*
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$2.27 billion
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2024: Fort Lauderdale (BDO) Study
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$888 million* (includes contingency of 27% total capital cost)
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$1.482 million*
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$404,000*
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$196 million
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2024: Broward County (Jacobs Engineering Estimate)
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$1.5 billion* (includes contingency of 43% of total capital cost)
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$2.080 million*
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$3.774 million*
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$766.8 million
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* 2023 dollars
Sources:
FDOT: January 27, 2022, Alternative Workshop presentation
Broward-Fort Lauderdale Study: April 2023, New River Crossing Report to Broward MPO
Fort Lauderdale Study: New River Crossing Report on Tunnel Alternative, April 2024
Broward County estimate: Review of the Tunnel Crossing of the New River, June 7, 2024
Notes:
FTA guidelines require 40 - 45% contingency applied to capital costs at this stage of project development (<15% design)
Jacobs cost estimate was based on the same tunnel dimensions proposed by BDO, to allow for a direct comparison of costing for the same length of tunnel. However, Jacobs' review suggests that it is highly likely that design adjustments would be required, lengthening the tunnel and adding certain other changes that would significantly increase the cost above $1.5 billion.
Spanning the New River
Since 2019, several agencies have studied options for spanning the New River Crossing, and two primary options were identified - bridges or a tunnel. The bridges option has consistently ranked as the more cost-effective expenditure of taxpayer dollars and the simplest, quickest, way to build and begin commuter rail service, while also creating the least disruption to current train operations, marine traffic, all while maintaining community cohesion.
In comparison, the tunnel option was consistently found to be financially impractical and more difficult and time-consuming to build, while creating significant disruptions to current train operations.
Three design options for the new bridges were presented to Broward County Commissioners. Option One (Mast) shows a final build cost of between $470 million and $495 million, and operations and maintenance costs of approximately $1 million. Build costs for Options Two and Three have not been determined but are expected to be higher costs than Option 1.
Building the Option 1 bridge system would save taxpayers anywhere from $400 million to $1.1 billion (2023 dollars), depending on which tunnel study the bridges are being compared to, and maintaining the bridges would save taxpayers anywhere from $400,000 to $17 million annually, depending on which tunnel study the bridges are being compared to.
The proposed iconic bridge system over the New River will provide the best option for rail users and marine vessels. The bridges option will save Broward County taxpayers substantial money and provide increased connectivity to Fort Lauderdale communities.
Studies:
Click below to read each of the studies conducted to date.
