The construction of a new extension to I-395 in downtown Miami has been nearing completion over the past several months. Construction on the project began in 2019, and is projected to be completed by late 2027, though the end date for construction has been pushed back several times. The main purpose of this project is to double-deck SR-836 while it runs over the Miami River, widening multiple exit lanes from the Highway, and constructing a large six-arched “signature bridge” which will “span 1,025 feet over NE 2 Avenue and SR5/Biscayne Boulevard, redefining the Miami skyline with its six sweeping arches”, as stated by the Connecting Miami website. To counteract the massive new highway expansion, the City of Miami and the construction firm making said project has also added a new pedestrian trail, currently under construction, which will run directly under the new highway expansion to connect the city and “enhance mobility”. However…who actually wants this bridge? Who wants to expand the Highway? Short answer; I most certainly don’t, I doubt anybody locally wants it, but FDOT wants it. Why would that be? I’ll provide my opinion on why the FDOT wants this project to go forward, though I believe it’s relatively obvious considering the track record of state DOT agencies.
CGI Mockup of the Signature Bridge Project in Downtown Miami. (RS&H Inc, Walsh Group, FDOT)
Let’s start with the obvious-FDOT is the main force behind this project. FDOT (which is the Florida Department of Transportation) manages all highways, freeways, etc in the state. They also “help” (note the quotes) with managing public transport in the state from Miami to Tallahassee. However, FDOT is nearly on par with TXDOT (Texas DOT) in terms of how much they subsidize and push for Highways instead of public transportation. The best example of this is, ofcourse, the current Signature Bridge project in Miami, wherein they want to double-deck (put one highway on top of another) I-365, right in the middle of downtown Miami. But…why are they doing this? Mostly to alleviate traffic congestion in Downtown, which has been caused by continued mismanagement of the Highway network (among other things), and a lack of walkability in Miami. Most people are encouraged to drive cars as a result, which causes traffic thanks to so many people being in cars, which causes new highways to be built, others to be widened..and a cycle to begin revolving around cars and how many people drive them. What does this do? Continue to ruin walkability, and make everyone have longer commute times to work, school, home, etc.
The Snapper 