Miami's Signature Bridge Won’t Be Completed For Years After New Delays

Buckle up; the traffic in and around downtown Miami is not letting up so soon.

The Florida Department of Transportation has quietly pushed back the completion date from late 2027 for its Signature Bridge project to late 2029 and increased the budget to $866 million — a significant delay and cost hike from the original plan to open in fall 2024 at a cost of $818 million.

Transportation officials say the I-395/SR 836/I-95 Project, a joint venture between FDOT and the Greater Miami Expressway Agency, will improve traffic safety by reducing the weaving movements caused by drivers entering and exiting the Palmetto Expressway and I-95 at the Midtown Interchange. It will also increase mobility for residents and commuters by increasing capacity on the highways with a new double-decked SR 836, which will provide direct access to the MacArthur Causeway. There will also be a new connector ramp from southbound I-95 to SR 836.

Perhaps, the most notable element of the project is the construction of the signature bridge, which FDOT says will "redefine the Miami skyline with six sweeping arches."

"The centerpiece of this project is the signature bridge that changes the city skyline and becomes an iconic symbol that our community can be proud of," the project's fact sheet reads. "The signature bridge and the adjoining structures will allow for the transformation of the area underneath to vibrant community spaces linked together by a contiguous trail for the enjoyment of Overtown residents, nearby communities and visitors."

While officials tout the $866-million project's six arches that will enhance the Miami skyline, Miami residents have strong opinions about the design. Many have called the signature bridge a giant waste of money and criticized the design, comparing it to McDonald's golden arches.

"Decoration proving how much money they were able to steal from the taxpayers," one Reddit user said about the arches.

Another added, "They could literally end homelessness in the region with that amount of capital. The priorities U.S. cities have are so out of whack."

In a statement to New Times, Transit Alliance Miami executive director Cathy Dos Santos said the signature bridge represents the disconnect between Miamians' needs and elected officials' desires.

"With this latest delay, what was to be a five-year project has bloated into a decade-long $840 million bottleneck," she added. "What that means is four more years of lane closures and traffic delays for the residents who rely on one of Miami-Dade’s busiest arterials. Instead of letting us drown in traffic, Tallahassee could listen to the nearly 80 percent of Miami-Dade voters who support mass rapid transit solutions and fund capital investments through the New Starts Transit Program—not defund the program as they did during the last legislative session."

Meanwhile, New Times is awaiting word from the local FDOT office about how the project delays will further impact congestion and traffic. What we do know is that the closures and detours will certainly continue. The department also warns on the project website that weather and other unforeseen circumstances can further delay the project.