Port Miami Tunnel, tunnel in Florida
Port Miami Tunnel is an underground road that runs approximately 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) beneath Biscayne Bay, connecting the MacArthur Causeway to Watson Island. The structure consists of two parallel tunnels with two lanes in each direction and descends to depths of about 120 feet (37 meters) below the water surface.
Construction began in May 2010 using a German tunnel boring machine that started drilling in late 2011 and completed the second tunnel in May 2013. The tunnel opened to traffic in August 2014, replacing previous reliance on a drawbridge and congested downtown routes for port access.
The tunnel represents Miami's focus on port operations and modern cargo movement as central to city life. Visitors near the area notice how the port functions more smoothly, with trucks and ships moving directly to their destinations rather than disrupting downtown streets.
The tunnel is free to use for all vehicles, with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour) and separate lanes for cars and trucks. Pedestrians and bicycles are not permitted; vehicles carrying hazardous materials and those exceeding 15 feet (4.6 meters) in height or 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 meters) in width are prohibited.
The tunnel was built using a German tunnel boring machine that advanced beneath the bay and won the America's Transportation Award's Grand Prize in 2015. The construction team also achieved a safety milestone of over 100,000 work hours without serious injuries, demonstrating the high standards maintained throughout the project.
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