Building Inclusion on the Move: Miami-Dade’s New East-West Corridor

Advocacy Network on Disabilities Participates in Coral Reef BRT Station Ribbon Cutting

A Milestone for Accessible Transit in Miami-Dade

This week, our President and CEO, Ire Diaz, was invited by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Coral Reef Drive Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Station, part of Miami-Dade County’s all-electric Metro Express system.

A few weeks prior to the event, the Advocacy Network on Disabilities was asked to conduct an accessibility walk-through of the station. During this review, our team provided recommendations on platform design, tactile indicators, accessible boarding features, signage placement, and wayfinding considerations. This collaboration reflects Miami-Dade County’s commitment to ensuring that accessibility is integrated into public infrastructure from the earliest stages of development.

In the words of our President and CEO, Ire Diaz:
“Accessibility is not an afterthought; it is essential to building systems that serve everyone. When inclusive design leads the process, communities become stronger, safer, and more connected.”

Looking Ahead: The East-West Corridor

As the County celebrates the opening of Coral Reef Station, attention now shifts to the next major component of the SMART Plan: the East-West Corridor Rapid Transit Project.

This new corridor will connect Florida International University (FIU) and western Miami-Dade to the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC) near Miami International Airport. The approximately 13.5-mile alignment will provide a direct link to Metrorail, Tri-Rail, and Metrobus, significantly improving cross-county mobility.

Planned features of the East-West Corridor include:

• Level boarding for mobility devices

• Real-time visual and audible service information

• Covered and climate-controlled waiting areas

• Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access

• Supportive transit-oriented development to encourage inclusive, accessible communities

The corridor represents a major step toward a more integrated, equitable transportation network for Miami-Dade County residents.

Partnership in Action

The Advocacy Network on Disabilities is proud to collaborate with the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) and the Office of the Mayor to strengthen accessibility within major transit projects.

By participating in design reviews, early consultations, and field assessments, our organization ensures that the lived experiences of people with disabilities inform the infrastructure that serves them. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to transportation equity and universal design.

A Shared Vision for Miami-Dade

The development of the Metro Express system, beginning with South Dade TransitWay improvements and continuing through the East-West Corridor, demonstrates the County’s growing investment in modern, inclusive transportation. We look forward to continuing our work alongside community leaders to ensure all residents can access safe, reliable, and independent mobility.