Key Biscayne Council Member Oscar Sardiñas says he’s hopeful a revised set of goals will lead to lower costs for proposals to install miles of pressurized drainage lines to fight sea level rise.
His comments about the project — which now stands at $310 million — came on the Anti-Social podcast as officials look to slash the price tag.
Sardiñas, wrapping up his first year on the Council. He said that there are advantages to phasing the project that would allow one approach for the most flood-prone areas, with less costly options in other sections of the barrier island — especially if later phases can take advantage of newer technology.
“Technology will continue to improve. And maybe it’s not wise to spend too much on current technology, because future technology might be better, cheaper, more accessible,” Sardiñas said.
In January, the AECOM engineering firm is set to deliver a set of options to the Council with different price tags depending on the “level of service” — or, how fast massive pumps will drain island streets after rains. Manager Steve Williamson plans to ask the Council to advance the projects, which he says are behind schedule.
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