Congresswoman Wilson Delivers $100 Million to Replace 11 of the Venetian Causeway Bridges

Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), senior member of the U.S. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced $100,547,040 in federal money to replace 11 of the Venetian Causeway Bridges. This funding was awarded by the Federal Highway Administration after Congresswoman Frederica Wilson's relentless advocacy to improve and replace these bridges.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Wilson said, "For years, Miami-Dade County has been fighting to replace many of the Venetian Causeway bridges. The current bridges require updates to meet modern design and safety standards. And with the growing number of natural disasters Miami-Dade County faces, it is more important than ever to secure and upgrade our bridges. That's why I'm proud to have secured over $100 million to replace 11 of the Venetian Causeway Bridges. Miami-Dade County has long planned to replace and upgrade these bridges, but the high costs have been a significant hurdle. This funding will help accelerate the process and ensure Miami-Dade County has the highest quality of infrastructure. This investment will make the Venetian Causeway safer and more efficient for all Miami-Dade County residents."

This funding also came from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congresswoman Wilson was one of five cosponsors of.

"We are honored to receive this substantial investment, and we are extremely grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and our Congressional Delegation for making it happen," said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. "This project is crucial to improve mobility to and from the beach on a vital roadway for residents who live and work there and for millions of tourists who visit our County, as well as protect a key evacuation road during storms. This investment will help future-proof our infrastructure while generating jobs to support our local economy - a major step forward in our ongoing efforts to upgrade our infrastructure and build a resilient, future-ready Miami-Dade."

The Venetian Causeway Project, in collaboration with state and federal partners, aims to replace 11 bridges, including the easternmost movable bridge, which have all reached the end of their useful life. The new bridges, designed to have a useful life of approximately 75 years, will honor the history and original appearance of the Venetian Causeway while incorporating modern safety features. They will also address environmental and mobility concerns by being 16 feet wider, providing increased safety for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Additional infrastructure improvements, such as Florida Power & Light feeder lines and water main replacement, will service the City of Miami Beach.

"Updating and improving the Venetian Causeway bridges will be a transformative milestone for our community," said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Micky Steinberg."This significant federal investment not only addresses crucial safety and infrastructure needs but also underscores our commitment to preserving the historical character of Miami-Dade County. These new bridges will not only enhance mobility for residents and visitors but also bolster our resilience against natural disasters. I thank Congresswoman Wilson for her relentless advocacy in securing these funds, which will undoubtedly benefit our community for generations to come."

As part of the project's timeline, the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works hosted a public meeting to present plans and provide information about the design phase of the project in April 2023. The project's team has been working on finishing the 90% design milestone, scheduled for submittal at the end of 2024. The design and permitting phase are estimated to be completed by the end of 2025. Construction advertisement is tentatively estimated for early 2026.

The Venetian Causeway Bridges were constructed in 1927 to connect the City of Miami Beach to the City of Miami.

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