Port of Miami Tunnel Project

Port of Miami Tunnel Project

In recent years, Miami has established itself as the cruise capital of the world. It is estimated that 2012 will top its 2011 figures, of 4 million passengers, due to three additional new cruise lines being added to the port: Disney, MSC and Seven Seas. Existing cruise lines: Carnival, Celebrity and Oceania have added new ships throughout the year, and will continue to add more the schedule.

To keep up with this huge influx of cruisers, and to address the traffic concerns downtown, the city has begun drilling a tunnel directly connecting the MacArthur Causeway to Port Miami. This tunnel will be providing direct highway access to the port. With nearly 16,000 vehicles traveling to and from the port each weekday, this tunnel will significantly improve the safety of downtown streets by reducing the traffic and congestion. This infrastructure will enable the Port of Miami to remain competitive, and allow passengers a shorter commute directly from South Beach.  

The 2007 Port of Miami Economic Impact Study reported that, “The Port of Miami provides 176,000 jobs, $6.4 billion in wages and $17 billion in economic output.” An updated study is expected to be released in 2013 showing the greater exponential increase in the numbers since 2007.

Construction began May 4, 2012, and the tunnel is expected to be open to the public in May 2014. “Harriet” emerged on Dodge Island July 31, 2012 where she was disassembled, turned and reassembled. Westbound Tunnel Mining began on October 29, 2012 and should be completed by spring 2013.

Progress stories are being released every few months indicating that the project is still on time and everything is going smoothly. After completion, this will raise property values particularly in areas surrounding the port: Brickell, Downtown Miami and Miami Beach.

For more information on the project visit the website http://www.portofmiamitunnel.com/home/.