In a recent government meeting, community members expressed strong opinions regarding the safety of the contractor chosen for the 87th Avenue bridge project, particularly in light of the contractor's involvement in the controversial FIU bridge collapse.

One resident, who identified themselves as knowledgeable about the contractor's history, defended their safety record, asserting that they had thoroughly researched the company and found no cause for concern. They emphasized that the contractor has successfully completed numerous projects across Florida and other states, suggesting that the council should trust their capabilities.

Conversely, another speaker raised alarms about the contractor, MCM, referencing their past involvement in the FIU bridge collapse. They pointed out that while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a comprehensive investigation, it did not attribute fault to MCM but rather to engineering miscalculations and failures by other parties involved. This speaker argued that the council's apprehension about the contractor was unfounded, given that MCM has continued to work on various projects, including those at the airport, without incident.

Danny Munia, president of McMillan, also addressed the council, highlighting the thoroughness of the NTSB investigation, which found no construction defects related to MCM's work. He reiterated that the NTSB's recommendations focused on design processes rather than construction practices, further asserting that MCM has successfully completed 14 bridges since the incident.

The discussions underscored a divide within the community regarding trust in the contractor's safety and competence, with some residents advocating for the bridge project as a necessary improvement for community safety, while others remained skeptical due to the contractor's past. The council's decision on the matter will likely weigh heavily on these contrasting perspectives.