Rising sea levels prompted the City of Miami Beach to revise their stormwater regulations to address wet weather challenges ranging from higher tides to prolonged flooding after storms and salt water intrusion into infrastructure systems. Wade Trim designed numerous drainage improvements in the City’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood to strengthen stormwater management capabilities and protect community assets.
The neighborhood’s water distribution system and stormwater collection and pumping system were rehabilitated to comply with a significant increase in the tailwater elevation. A new pump station discharge route was designed to discharge stormwater through an outfall structure into Biscayne Bay, and the collection system was expanded and upsized to reduce the amount of time it takes to dry the streets after rain events. In addition, control panels for three existing pump stations were raised above the flood elevation. Roadway improvements designed to raise the crown elevation of the roads also featured streetscape and lighting enhancements. Redirecting stormwater away from private property and creating smooth transitions between the new roadway and driveways was key to integrating the changes into the neighborhood.
The project has received national attention from the Head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Senior Advisor to President Obama who toured the project as one of the first in the nation to address sea level rise. Leonardo DiCaprio also visited the site while working on his climate change documentary. It was also featured on CCTV in China and in the Florida Water Resources Journal and FES Journal.
Awards:
Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers (CAACE) Category III Project of the Year Award, 2018
Resilient Utility Coalition Resilient Project of the Year – Climate Change Award Winner, 2018
FICE Water/Stormwater Category Project of the Year Honor Award, 2018
ENR Regional (Southeast) Best Project Award in Water/Environment, 2017
ENR Regional (Southeast) Award of Merit in Excellence in Safety, 2017
