Port Miami Tunnel Opens To Public

August 04, 2014 in Arquitectonica, Golden Dusk Photography, Miami, Port of Miami, PortMiami Tunnel, Transportation, Watson Island

The PortMiami Tunnel officially opened on Sunday at 10am after over two months in delays. The contractor Bouygues was fined $115,000 everyday that the tunnel was not opened and the fines reached almost $9 million.

The tunnel will help alleviate some of the traffic in Downtown Miami by reducing the amount of trucks going through the city. The trucks can now continue to the MacArthur Causeway and into the tunnel.

The mile long tunnel cost over $1 billion and has two lanes each way going towards the Port of Miami and back towards MacArthur Causeway.

PortMiami Tunnel Set To Open In August

July 25, 2014 in Arquitectonica, Golden Dusk Photography, Miami, Port of Miami, PortMiami Tunnel, Watson Island

The Miami Herald is reporting that the PortMiami Tunnel will be ready to open after two months in delays and $7 million in fines.

The tunnel was supposed to be ready a fews day after the tunnel dedication ceremony, but problems with the ventilation system and leaky pipes were the cause for the delay.

Construction on Watson Island Still Hasn't Begun

June 23, 2014 in Condo, Flagstone, Island Gardens, Miami, Watson Island

In May, Miami Commissioners gave approval for the developer Flagstone Property Group to begin construction by June 2, but that date has come and go nothing has been done to the site.

According to the Miami Herald, Flagstone hasn't applied for building permits, but they say, "“construction work” had indeed begun by June 2 — because, they say, a diver mapped and surveyed corals and sea grasses that must be moved or replaced elsewhere in the bay before dredging and construction of the marina can begin."

Flagstone has been paying $2 million a year in rent based on 2001 values, when the actual value should be around $7.2 million.

Flagstone claims marina construction should begin by December.

PortMiami Tunnel at Night Photos

May 27, 2014 in Golden Dusk Photography, Miami, Port of Miami, PortMiami Tunnel, Watson Island, Arquitectonica

Last week the PortMiami Tunnel had it's opening ceremony, which was dedicated by Gov. Rick Scott. (This can be read here)

Recently, the Arquitectonica designed portal entrance has been lit at night with vibrant red lightning on the front and side of the structure which there is no mistaking when driving over the MacArthur Causeway.

The $1 billion PortMiami Tunnel is expected to be open for trucks and traffic sometime this week. Every day that contractors are not finished by the completion date they will be fined $115,000.

*Update* The PortMiami Tunnel is experiencing delays and won't be open until Mid-June.

Below are photos of the PortMiami portal entrance at night.

Miami Dedicates PortMiami Tunnel

May 19, 2014 in Arquitectonica, Construction, Golden Dusk Photography, Miami, Port of Miami, Watson Island, PortMiami Tunnel

After years of work, the PortMiami tunnel had its dedication today at 10am that was attended by Gov. Rick Scott, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado and U.S. of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. The $1 billion dollar project was one of the most expensive transportation projects in South Florida history.

A 6,000 ton boring machine nicknamed "Harriet" began the mile long tunneling process in November 2011 towards the Port of Miami. It turned around and headed back to Watson Island where it popped out in May 2013.

The deepest part of the tunnel is 120 feet under sea level. Both entrances and exits have a 50 ton floodgate that will close in case of a hurricane or heavy flooding. The entrance portals were designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica.

The many cargo trucks that will use the tunnel will not have to pay a toll and private vehicles are expected to be able to use the tunnel as well. 16,000 trucks and cars will use the tunnel daily and will help alleviate the traffic through Downtown Miami.

Hundreds of workers began the laborious task of putting together the finishing touches on the tunnel over the final few months. The construction workers got to walk out of the tunnel before the dedication.

75 workers will stay on full time to maintain and operate the tunnel.