By Sunday, the graffiti was prominently visible, catching the attention of social media users who were left wondering: How did the artist manage to pull it off?
One video, shared by Only in Dade, highlighted the remarkable feat with equal parts admiration and disbelief.
"I love the graffiti community in Miami. I don't know how the fuck he got up there," the narrator says in amazement. "So I guess we got to crown double-o-four the king of Miami? There is no way to get up there without a man lift unless he, like, ran up the arch."
As theories swirled across social media, Miami journalist Joel Franco took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to propose his own. Franco speculated that the tagger might have accessed the inside of the arch from a hole near its base, where stairs could have theoretically provided a hidden climb to the peak.Some will call this AI…🎨😳| #ONLYinDADE pic.twitter.com/rhhGSnrlpG
— ONLY in DADE (@ONLYinDADE) October 6, 2024
His theory is based on photos showing an opening at the base that appears accessible and another photo revealing a small opening at the top. Franco noted that the artist could have climbed stairs inside the arch and slipped out of the hole at the summit to complete their daring tag.
I’ve been scratching my head at how they managed to tag the top of the Miami signature bridge arch. I have a theory 🤔
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) October 7, 2024
There appears to be access near the base and stairs going through the inside of the arch — this is based on my photos and one from FDOT.
My photos near the… pic.twitter.com/8dboHNLtub
Under another Franco tweet about the bridge's new tag, some people sounded off on the graffiti.
"004 that doesn't represent Miami," one user commented.
"Oh, but it very much does. You don't understand the culture," countered another.
Meanwhile, on Instagram, Miami's Museum of Graffiti shared a "behind-the-scenes" glimpse of the towering structure, also known as "The Fountain" owing to its unique design. In its post, the museum distanced itself from the discussion about the potential artist but hinted at the controversies surrounding the bridge construction, encouraging viewers to do their own research.004 That doesn't represent Miami it all
— Nenry Brand (@nenrybrand) October 6, 2024
For background, the Signature Bridge is a key element of the massive I-395/SR 836/I-95 Design-Build Project, which also includes a double-decked section of SR 836. With a staggering price tag of $840 million, the project aims to alleviate Miami's notorious traffic congestion, though it could be making commuting more chaotic in the meantime. The entire undertaking is expected to be completed by late 2027.
Comments on the Museum of Graffiti's post are filled with speculation about who managed to tag the bridge. Someone there tagged @004connec, questioning whether the shop had anything to do with the feat.
New Times spoke with the owner of 004Connec, who goes by "E." Asked whether he knows anything about who's behind the tag, he said he'd "rather not say too much," and, true to his word, he said no more.
He did, however, explain the meaning behind the three digits.
The U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Prisons assign arrested or processed individuals an eight-digit register number, with the last three digits indicating the district of arrest.
"004" is the Southern District of Florida.
"In the federal system, we're known as the 004 boys, and when I came home, I started the company and named it after that. And so it grew into what it is today," E says. "Yeah, we're basically an art-supply apparel shop that's been around since '04 and in Wynwood since 2010, so I guess we have a following in the graffiti world. Yes, '004' basically means Miami, Dade, Broward, Palm Beach."
As talk of the 004 tag on the Signature Bridge continues to ripple through Miami's streets and social media feeds, the mystery behind the artist — or crew — only adds to the allure. Whether a symbol of pride or rebellion, the artist has prominently affixed their signature on Miami's vibrant graffiti scene.
