The city will now negotiate a long-term PPP contract with the consortium to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the line. If the city cannot reach an agreement with the consortium it could open talks with the second and third-placed bidders, Connect Miami Beach and Miami Beach Mobility Partners.

Preliminary recommendations call for the construction of a loop serving South Beach, which would be built in two phases, each around 4km long. The first phase would run along 5th Street and Washington Avenue, while the second phase would continue the line along Alton Road and 17th Street. An additional loop along Dade Boulevard is also being evaluated.

The double-track line will run in dedicated transit lanes for its entire length and will be completely catenary free, with Alstom's ground-based APS technology being put forward for the electrification system.

The City of Miami Beach says both phases could be constructed concurrently, and a decision on how to proceed will be made following the conclusion of financial and technical analyses.

Public consultation began last month and environmental studies are due to be completed early next year.