Construction crews are working on a series of arches atop a new suspension bridge in downtown Miami, a project expected to “enhance mobility and redefine the city's skyline,” according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Dubbed "The Fountain," the $840 million bridge will feature six distinctive arches. One arch is complete, and crews are finishing another while preparing the foundations for the remaining ones.
The centerpiece of the structure, a massive pier, will support the arches, the suspended deck, and house the bridge’s electrical and structural health monitoring systems.
The project includes major upgrades to State Road 836, replacing concrete pavement on Interstate 95, adding a new connector ramp, and improving Interstate 395. It will replace a 1960s-era freeway that cuts through downtown Miami.
Jacqueline Sequeira, a FDOT construction resident engineer, called it an iconic project.
“It is going to be the signature bridge for the city of Miami, and we will have community spaces underneath, which is a first for Miami,” she said in a statement to Daily Commercial News.
Originally budgeted at $802 million with a four-year completion goal, the project has been delayed due to supply chain issues and legal challenges. Costs have risen by $38 million, and completion is now expected in 2027.
The bridge will span 1,025 feet, with the largest arch reaching 325-feet high and stretching 650-feet across. The design pays homage to Miami’s history and multicultural identity, according to FDOT.
Once complete, the bridge will improve traffic flow, increase capacity on I-395, and enhance safety for commuters and pedestrians.
Source: Daily Commercial News, HDR Inc.
