Dear Community Members,
The second month of the year is almost done! Broward County celebrated two incredible milestones. We wished our Broward County Parks a very Happy Birthday as the Parks and Recreation Division formed in February of 1956. Additionally, we wished Port Everglades a Happy 95th Anniversary, this week! We celebrated the month of love, with Valentine’s Day and acknowledged Heart Health Month, a time to focus on your cardiovascular health. February also brings some sorrow to our community, as we mourn the tragic events of February 14th, five years ago, when 17 beautiful souls were tragically taken from us. Finally, we recognized Black History Month all month long and continue to celebrate the amazing contributions of African Americans, from the past and today, that help shape our community.
Broward’s MPO and Broward County Receive a Safe Streets Grant
Our community has received a $5 million grant to develop a safety plan to reduce traffic fatalities. The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program derived from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will provide $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next five years for regional, local and tribal initiatives nationwide. This award was made possible by leveraging a local match of $1.25 million from Broward County. The County will conduct planning studies that are complementary to the SS4A goals and that will become elements of the overall project approach. I’m proud to see the great work of Broward’s MPO in collaboration with the County as we move forward on these vital initiatives for the safety of all on our roads. Visit transportation.gov/grants/SS4A to learn more about the SS4A grant program.
Broward County Receives $91M for Resilient Infrastructure Improvements
Broward County will receive about $66 million in grant funds for resilient improvement projects. The funding will advance flood mitigation, infrastructure and other water management improvements. 16 Broward County projects have been awarded funds, including the replacement and improvement of bridges, septic to sewer conversions, wastewater pumps, bulkheads, and a number of stormwater infrastructure projects. We are excited to receive this funding through the Resilient Florida Grant Program, which is a competitive grant process administered through the State Department of Environmental Protection. Additionally, the cities of Dania and Fort Lauderdale were awarded $25 million for critical stormwater and infrastructure upgrades. I’m very proud of the excellent collaboration efforts between the County and municipalities to address our vulnerabilities to sea level rise. Learn more at
Broward.org/Resilience.
Port Everglades Shore Power Master Plan Completed
Broward County’s Port Everglades recently completed a study to add shore power to the Port’s eight cruise terminals. Shore power infrastructure enables ships to turn off their engines and connect to the local electric power grid. Therefore, reducing the engine exhaust gases from cruise ships running on-board powerplants while docked which contribute to air emissions. The full implementation of this shore power will be equivalent to taking 2,470 cars off the road annually. The project is expected to be financed through federal and state grant funds, contributions from FPL, the participating cruise lines, and the County. Implementation will occur in phases. The earliest construction could occur is mid-2024 with all phases completed by the end of 2027. For more information on Port Everglades, visit
PortEverglades.net.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) News
Exciting news for our very own airport, as we bring in more international flights for travelers. FLL will welcome two new nonstop services to Tel Aviv and London later this year. El Al Israel Airlines will offer a seasonal nonstop service to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport in September, with year-round flights starting in the spring of 2024. Additionally, Norse Atlantic Airways announced the start of three weekly flights to London Gatwick Airport in May of this year. For more information, visit
Broward.org/Airport.
Recent County Commission Action
On January 31st, the County Commission recently held a Transportation Workshop, where the Board heard an update on several projects happening throughout the County. Updates were provided on the Broward Commuter Rail South, FLL Automated People Mover, FLL Intermodal Center, BCT PREMO- First Phase Light Rail and the New River Crossing Alternatives Analysis for Broward Commuter Rail North.
At the February 21st commission meeting, the Board approved several items which moves forward the Automated People Mover project at FLL. Additionally, we approved items that move forward the construction of a new Terminal 5.
Our next County Commission Meeting is on March 14.
To read, watch or join in our County Commission Meetings please visit broward.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=15
Reminders/Upcoming Events:
| Broward County’s Transit’s Bus Safety Roadeo will be held this Sunday, February 26, from 8:30am to noon. The ROADEO is a competitive test which measures our Bus Operator’s driving skills and knowledge. Sunday’s winner will go on to represent Broward County at the State level the weekend of March 30-April 1, 2023, in Orlando, FL
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| Water Ways Cleanup will be held Saturday, March 4th with over 30 different site locations including parks, canals, boat ramps and more. Visit
WaterwayCleanup.org for more information.
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| Water Matters Day will be held Saturday, March 11th at Tree Tops Park in Davie. With interactive educational displays and booths, tree giveaway for Broward County residents, food trucks, children’s activities and more. Visit
Broward.org/NaturalResources/WaterConservation/pages/WaterMattersDay for more information.
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| PREMO Survey- BCT is developing a Premium Mobility Plan to provide enhanced transit services for residents. Visit
Broward.org/BCT/Premo to provide feedback.
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| Late Shift Connect- BCT’s new program provides on- demand service for late-shift workers when regular transit hours are not available. Visit
LateShiftConnect.org. for more information.
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Additional Resources:
As always, I am truly thankful to serve you and Commission District 4 and everyone in Broward County as your Vice Mayor. If I can ever be of assistance, please contact me at 954-357-7004 or
LFisher@broward.org. Also, follow me (@LamarPFisher) on Twitter and (@ViceMayorLamarFisher) on Facebook.
Lamar P. Fisher
Broward County Vice Mayor
Commission District 4
