The first of 260 General Motors RTS II buses began operating on the streets of Dade County.
In January, work on the University Station substructure was completed, making way for work to begin on the station itself.
January: Construction began on the Northwest 27th Avenue Modification Project, which was aimed at removing the underground storm sewer system to accommodate Metrorail support footings.
April: In a letter to Metro-Dade County, UMTA advised that it would commit $50 million to the DPM project subject to future congressional authorizations.
May: Metro-Dade County received a written Full Funding Agreement from UMTA to provide 80% of the remaining construction cost for Metrorail, a first for a rapid rail project.
August: Preliminary engineering of the Stage I downtown loop was completed.
August: The first Metrorail girder was poured at the R.T. Joint Venture site in northwest Dade County.
September: Requests for proposals to complete the final design and construct the Stage I DPM system were distributed. Funds were received to proceed with preliminary engineering on Stage II of the system.
October: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) presented a letter of approval to use $32.9 million in federal interstate funds for the extension of the existing HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) or carpool lanes from I-95 to State Road 112, tying into the Allapattah and Earlington Heights Metrorail stations. The project also covered costs for additional parking at the two stations and street modifications to handle increased traffic.
November: Proposals were received from DPM system suppliers, including Westinghouse, UTDC, Matra-Otis, and Titan PRT Systems Inc.
November: The final Environmental Impact Statement was approved by UMTA.
December: The first double-tee girder is placed atop two piers at University Station. The $55,887,830 contract for girder construction and installation was awarded to R.T. Joint Venture.
February: The first Metrorail vehicle arrived at the Palmetto Yard and Shops from Pueblo, Colorado.
May 2: South Miami Station was dedicated, and the general public is given its first opportunity to ride Metrorail.
June: The Metrorail bridge over the Miami River was completed. The rapid transit guideway was now a continuous ribbon of concrete from the Dadeland South Station to just north of the Overtown Station.
June: The Metro-Dade Transportation Administration (MDTA, formerly DCTA) approved the award of a $23,747,000 contract to Perini Construction Inc. of Framingham, Massachusetts to build the guideway for the 1.9 miles of elevated double-guideway for Metromover.
July 15: Douglas Road Metrorail station was dedicated.
August 26: Dadeland North Metrorail station was dedicated.
September 16: University and Dadeland South Metrorail stations were dedicated.
October 21: The Palmetto Yard and Shops was dedicated. The facility was renamed the William Lehman Operations and Maintenance Center in honor of the Florida Congressman. The $21.7 million maintenance garage was built by Frank J. Rooney Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Site work of the $14 million trackwork and related material was performed by Paul N. Howard Inc.
December 2: Coconut Grove and Vizcaya Metrorail stations were dedicated.
February 10: Brickell Metrorail station was dedicated.
April 10: Metrorail's girder #2,704 was hoisted into place at the Northside Station, marking the end of girder installation in the 21-mile Phase I Metrorail system.
March: The first six maintenance technicians were hired.
May 18: Overtown Metrorail station was dedicated.
May 20: Government Center Station was officially dedicated, and Metrorail begins south-line service to ten stations from Dadeland South to Overtown Station. Rides were free to the public for the day. Over 125,000 participated in the opening-day event and rode the new system. Metrorail began operations in the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) mode.
May 21: Metrorail starts revenue service. Regular fare--$1; reduced fare--$.50 (during off-peak hours for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and youth in grades 1-12).
May 29: The 33,500-square foot Metromover maintenance building was dedicated.
June: The first completed vehicle was delivered to the Metromover maintenance building for use in hands-on training of maintenance technicians.
August 25: Culmer and Hialeah Metrorail stations were dedicated.
November 7: William A. Smith Construction Co. placed the 368,000th and last rail fastener in the 21-mile, Stage I Metrorail system.
The event was marked with a "Golden Spike" ceremony at the Allapattah Metrorail station. The total contract for rail placement was $45 million.
November 19: Allapattah Metrorail station was dedicated.
December 7: Civic Center and Santa Clara Metrorail stations were dedicated.
December 15: Earlington Heights Metrorail station was dedicated.
December 17: Metrorail service was extended north to Earlington Heights station.
January 15: The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza station was dedicated.
January 28: Okeechobee Station was dedicated.
March: Metromover initiated system verification and demonstration testing.
March 23: Brownsville Station was dedicated.
March 30: Northside Station was dedicated.
May 1: Metrorail began a "Bikes on Train" program, a six-month demonstration allowing riders to bring their bicycles on the trains during limited hours on weekends only. A permit was required.
May 19: Service is extended to the final five Metrorail stations, thus completing service between Dadeland South and Okeechobee.
June: The consulting firm of Schimpler-Corradino and Associates was retained by MDTA to propose recommendations and to coordinate the planning and research for Network 86, a comprehensive public transportation improvement program. Network 86 would integrate, simplify, and consolidate local transit service to make it more cost effective for all Dade County citizens.
June: MDTA began leasing bicycle lockers for the convenience of commuters.
July 1: MDTA created the Metropass Corporate Group Discount Program. Corporations and organizations were given the opportunity to purchase quantities of the All-Transit Metropass in advance at discount prices.
August: Joseph M. Fletcher was named MDTA executive director.
August: Public meetings were held in all areas of Dade to determine the impact that changes recommended for Network '86 would have on the community. A formal public hearing was held Tuesday, November 19, at the new Metro-Dade Commission Chambers.
September 5: Groundbreaking for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. $6.8 million, 1,000-space parking garage took place. Construction was awarded to 3W Corporation.
September 15: A special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to inaugurate the opening of the Vizcaya Metrorail station pedestrian overpass. The overpass, an $859,000 structure, was built by Ebsary Foundation Inc.
October: The Bikes-on-Train program was extended for an additional 12 months to include weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and after 6:30 p.m., and all day Saturday, Sunday, and major holidays.
November: MDTA began to electrify the north line in preparation for pre-revenue testing.
December: Twenty-five National minibuses were delivered. Fifteen of the $42,000, 19-seat passenger buses were used to replace the RICO buses, providing service on the Venetian Causeway. Ten $47,000 buses equipped with wheelchair lifts were assigned to the Special Transportation Services office to transport riders with disabilities.
December 1: The first phase of Network'86 was implemented.
December 9: Metrorail started Automatic Train Operations (ATO). In this mode, train operation is run by computers. The operator's function includes monitoring the train control board, starting train movement, and assisting riders.
December 18: The Northeast Division, 360 N.E. 185 Street, was dedicated, marking the start of operations from this facility with capacity for 159 buses that serve the north, east, and west parts of Dade. Additionally, the Northeast Division is equipped to handle articulated buses scheduled for purchase in the future.
December 29: MDTA activates Central Control, located on the fifth floor of the new Metro-Dade Government Center. From Central Control, rail traffic attendants can command train movement, rail electrification, communications (two-way radios, telephone, and emergency lines with police and fire departments), track switching, and monitor security at stations using a sophisticated television system.
January: The Board of County Commissioners approved creation of a "Blue Ribbon Transportation Task Force" to study the existing transit system in depth and develop recommendations for improvements in administrative procedures and operations.
March 18: MDTA received shipment of Metrorail vehicles 235 and 236, the last two to arrive at the William Lehman Maintenance Facility. The last vehicle, #236, was off-loaded at 10:25 a.m.
April 6: MDTA takes over Metromover operations from Westinghouse and starts providing preview tours.
April 17: Metromover and the new Metro-Dade Government Center building are officially dedicated. Metromover rides are free until April 20.
April 21: Metromover started revenue operations providing service to nine stations in downtown Miami, covering a 1.9 mile double loop.
June 15: The second phase of Network'86 was implemented with the new fare policy.
October 28: The Metro-Dade Transportation Administration is renamed the Metro-Dade Transit Agency.
MDTA implements a $1 parking fee at all Metrorail stations, and increased the cost of a monthly pass to $50. This results in increased MDTA revenues by $5 million.
Nov: Newly-elected County Commissioner Charles Dusseau proposes that Metrorail extend its service hours until midnight, seven days a week, to take effect November 27. The Board of County Commissioners approve the recommendation. (Previously, Metrorail operated from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.)
February: Metrorail ridership reaches 40,000 per day for the first time.
March: Metrorail unofficially adds its 21st station to the system when the Tri-Rail Station opens for passenger service. The official opening of this station, which connects Metrorail with the Tri-County Commuter Rail service, is set for June.
May: Metrorail celebrated its 40 millionth rider. Also, MDTA opened its first Transit Service Center at Government Center Station on May 17. Mayor Stephen P. Clark cut the ribbon to open the Center, and Commissioner Charles Dusseau joined Mayor Clark in the ceremony.
June 5: Dade County officially dedicated the Tri-Rail Metrorail station. Dade County Mayor Stephen P. Clark, joined by Congressman William Lehman and Dade County Commissioner Charles Dusseau, unveiled the plaque marking the station's official opening.
July: Chester "Ed" Colby was appointed director of Metro-Dade Transit by County Manager Joaquín Aviño. He joined MDTA after serving in a similar capacity in Denver, Colorado.
December: Wackenhut Security Corporation replaces North Dade Security as the agency providing security services for Metrorail and Metromover. All of the Wackenhut officers are police/military trained and are armed. They are positioned at all Metrorail stations and patrol the Metromover stations.
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