Tunnels are vital because they provide a safe and efficient method for automobiles and pedestrians to go from one location to another. Florida has some spectacular tunnels, but did you know that the longest tunnel in the state is undersea?
Port Miami Tunnel in Miami County is Florida’s longest tunnel, stretching approximately 4,200 feet. This relatively new tunnel is fascinating; are you ready to learn more? Follow along to find the longest tunnel in Florida.
Which Is the Longest Tunnel in Florida?
Florida’s longest tunnel is the Port Miami Tunnel. It is approximately 4,200 feet long, and roughly 7,000 vehicles use the broad, underwater tunnel. The Port of Miami Tunnel connects the MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island to the Port of Miami on Dodge Island. Work started on May 24, 2010, and the tunnel opened on August 3, 2014. But how did the tunnel come to be? Why was it built?
Where is the Port Miami Tunnel located on a map?
Miami is located in southeastern Florida, bordering Biscayne Bay on a plain between the Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean. Florida is located in the southeast of the United States, bounded by Alabama to the northwest, Georgia to the north, the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
History of the Port Miami Tunnel
Downtown Miami is notorious for terrible and clogged traffic at almost all hours of the day. This is as true today as it was in the 1980s when the concept was initially established. This tunnel was required since traffic at the Port of Miami was terrible due to the two-lane drawbridge that led to downtown.
Traffic decreased in the early 1990s after a six-lane elevated bridge was built and opened. Proposals for the tunnel were first made in 1987; however, President Ronald Reagan vetoed the 1987 highway bill.
In 2007, the City Commission approved the tunnel project. By 2008, however, the project had been canceled, only to be reinstated in April 2009. The tunnel was constructed by three government entities: the Florida Department of Transportation, Miami-Dade County, and the City of Miami. MAT Concessionaire LLC was also involved.
The Port of Miami Tunnel: Controversies
Several critiques, objections, and disputes arose throughout the planning and building of the Port of Miami tunnel. One of the most common issues or objections was about the plan’s financial structure. Some citizens questioned whether the city had enough money to complete the project, and the city struggled to fund half of the $50 million. The Port of Miami Tunnel runs below Biscayne Bay.
During the construction period, some environmentalists expressed worry about the potential harmful effects. For example, contractors were seen dumping tunnel fillers into wetlands. This harmed key mangrove trees.
Conclusion
The Port Miami Tunnel stands as Florida’s longest tunnel at 4,200 feet, addressing traffic issues from the Port to downtown Miami. Despite controversies over funding and environmental concerns during its planning and construction, the tunnel opened in 2014, providing a vital and efficient link between Watson Island and Dodge Island.