The long-delayed Wave streetcar project in downtown Fort Lauderdale could be leaving the station sooner than expected.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted to approve a new agreement early Wednesday between Broward County and the Downtown Development Authority to let state transportation officials put the project back out to bid, according to the Sun Sentinel. Under the new agreement, the state, county or city will be able to reject bids exceeding $142.5 million.
The process has attracted significant opposition, and in October, the state rejected bids bringing the budget to more than $270 million. The Wave would operate on a 2.8-mile route winding through downtown Fort Lauderdale, transporting passengers from Northeast 6 Avenue to Southeast 17th Street.
The six city commission candidates running in the March election have also said they’ll vote to kill the rail system, a project that has been in the works for at least 16 years, the Sun Sentinel reported. A winning bid will be selected in May. [Sun Sentinel] – Amanda Rabines