The traffic study shaping how the Keys grow, and what we’re doing about it Under Monroe County’s growth rules, US 1 has to meet a minimum standard for traffic flow and congestion. As long as the highway gets a passing grade, more high-intensity development can continue unobstructed, no matter how it impacts traffic (let alone the environment.)
This traffic study should be one of our most important checks on overdevelopment. But recently, the Commission has simply rejected studies that give a failing grade. But the last study handed out a passing grade – even though traffic hasn’t gotten better. Why?
We decided to investigate the methodology. We brought together a citizens committee to start digging, and problems with the methodology quickly surfaced. Last Stand then commissioned an independent traffic engineer to take a deeper, expert look, and he confirmed what we’d found. The study artificially makes traffic look better than it really is. One example: the morning rush hour in Stock Island, where congestion is worst, isn’t counted in the overall grade. So we connected with a group of 23 other local organizations and called on the County to fix the study – so that the study tells the truth about US 1, and growth decisions are made accordingly.
What happened at the Commission On October 21, the County Commission took up our coalition’s proposal, and they were receptive. They asked County staff to find out what FDOT can contribute to bring in the right expertise. It’s not a done deal, but it’s a solid first step. And we have our members to thank for that success. More than a dozen of you emailed commissioners ahead of the meeting. That might not sound like much, but commissioners rarely hear from the public on items already on the agenda, so a dozen emails is a lot!
One thing to watch: Some commissioners warned us to be careful what we wish for. If we open the door to changes, they said, the Commission could also make changes we don’t like, such as lowering the traffic standards or scrapping it altogether.
But let’s be clear: fixing the traffic study doesn’t require lowering standards. That would be a separate, deliberate choice by the County Commission to change the law and weaken the standards that shape our quality of life. And if that happens, we have a much bigger problem than a traffic study. We can’t accept that our only choices are a broken system or a weaker one. The answer isn’t to stop asking for better. It’s to keep showing up, and we’ll be there every step of the way. Stay tuned for when this comes back before the Commission. | 
