Port Miami Tunnel

The idea of a tunnel connecting the Port of Miami to Watson Island was first conceived in the 1980s as a way to reduce traffic congestion in downtown Miami. Prior to the tunnel's opening, the only route for PortMiami traffic was a two-lane drawbridge that emptied out into the streets of downtown Miami. The heavy traffic was considered detrimental to the economic growth of downtown, and a planned project to expand the port's capacity threatened to increase the volume of trucks coming through. These problems were alleviated, but not solved, by the construction of a six-lane elevated bridge, which still stands, in the early 1990s.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/06/port_of_miami_tunnel_project_c.php#|title=Port Of Miami Tunnel Project Could Be South Florida's Big Dig|date=June 2, 2010|author=Erik Maza|publisher=Miami New Times|access-date=April 2, 2011}} The issues would be remedied by the construction of the tunnel, allowing traffic to move between PortMiami and the MacArthur Causeway (which connects to Interstate 95 via I-395) without traveling through downtown.

Federal funding for a preliminary study into the tunnel proposal was included in the controversial 1987 highway bill which was vetoed by President Ronald Reagan, who complained that the bill was a "pork-barrel" project.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yvolAAAAIBAJ&pg=2351,127396&dq=miami+tunnel&hl=en|title=Fate of Miami tunnel hangs on today's Senate vote|author=Pat Burson, Larry Lipman|publisher=The Palm Beach Post|date=April 1, 1987|access-date=June 29, 2011}} {{dead link|date=July 2018}}Davis, Jeff. [https://www.enotrans.org/article/30-years-ago-week-reagans-1987-highway-bill-veto/ "30 Years Ago This Week: Reagan’s 1987 Highway Bill Veto"], Eno Transportation Weekly, Eno Center for Transportation, March 27, 2017. Although the veto was overridden, the tunnel proposal fell by the wayside. It was not until 2006 that the tender for the tunnel project was ready to be launched, and in December 2007 the project was approved by the City Commission.{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2007/12/10/daily44.html|title=Miami OKs Marlins' stadium, port tunnel|author=Julia Neyman and Oscar Pedro Musibay|date=December 13, 2007|publisher=South Florida Business Journal|access-date=July 12, 2011}} However, the economic crisis resulted in a cancellation of the project in December 2008 by one of the sponsors, Babcock & Brown, and the State of Florida.{{cite news| url=http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/379571.html| title=Planned Miami port tunnel: Can we dig it?| publisher=Miami Herald| author=Larry Lebowitz| date=January 15, 2008| access-date=January 15, 2008}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} Despite this, in April 2009, following intense lobbying by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez,{{cite news|url=http://www.local10.com/news/19200966/detail.html |title=Port Of Miami Tunnel Project Revived |author=WPLG-TV |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=March 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926235613/http://www.local10.com/news/19200966/detail.html |archive-date=September 26, 2011 }} to avoid a new tender that would delay even further the start of construction, the project was reinstated. Port director Bill Johnson has also played a key role in supporting the Port of Miami infrastructure projects, as well as developing a free-trade pact with Colombia. Altogether, the port infrastructure projects had an estimated cost of around two billion dollars.{{cite news |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/20/2124204/miami-needs-colombia-free-trade.html |title=Miami needs Colombia free-trade pact |author=Jose Perez Jones |date=March 20, 2011 |publisher=Miami Herald |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110408222600/http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/20/2124204/miami-needs-colombia-free-trade.html |archive-date=April 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Prior to 2008, the project had been estimated at a total cost of $3.1 billion USD,{{cite web|url=http://criticalmiami.com/index.php?id=257|title=Port of Miami tunnel|year=2005|publisher=Critical Miami|access-date=March 30, 2011}} however the revised project has an estimated cost of US$1 billion (The difference in estimates partially due to differences in previous tunnel designs). Financial closing on the project was reached in October 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.bondbuyer.com/issues/118_200/miami-tunnel-project-1002638-1.html|title=Mimai Tunnel Reaches Closure|date=October 19, 2009|author=Shelly Sigo|publisher=The Bond Buyer|access-date=April 5, 2011}} Miami-Dade County was reported to have contributed $402 million, the city of Miami $50 million, and the state $650 million to build, operate and maintain it. Those contributions are spread during construction and operation of the tunnel project. During construction, 90% of the funds are provided by the private sector. Of the estimated $1 billion total project cost, $607 million would go to design and construction, $195.1 million to financing, $59.6 million to insurance and maintenance during construction, $41.2 million to reserves, and $209.8 million for state development cost.

File:Port Miami Tunnel overview.jpg

The Port of Miami Tunnel project involved the design and widening of the MacArthur Causeway by one lane in each direction leading up to the tunnel entrance, the relocation of Parrot Jungle Trail, and the reconstruction of roadways on Dodge Island. The tunnel itself has two side by side tubes carrying traffic underneath the cruise ship channel of the Government Cut shipping lane. Jacobs Engineering Group was responsible for the design of the roadways, Langan Engineering & Environmental Services was the geotechnical engineer, and Bouygues was the prime contractor for the tunnel project itself. Chosen due to their key involvement in the construction of the Channel Tunnel, a major tunnel in Europe, the selection of Bouygues was also met with controversy and protested by the Cuban exile community in Miami, due to the company's involvement with locally opposed construction projects in Cuba.

The project connects the east/west Interstate 395 (I-395)/State Road 836, which terminates into State Route A1A at the Miami city limit on the MacArthur Causeway, as well as Interstate 95, directly to PortMiami.{{cite web|url=http://www.edwardredlich.com/2010/10/port-of-miami-cargo/|title=Port of Miami Cargo|date=October 14, 2010|publisher=Edward Redlich|access-date=April 6, 2011}} The port was previously only connected to the mainland by Port Boulevard, which is accessed by crossing U.S. Route 1 (Biscayne Boulevard) and traveling through downtown. The project also includes roadway improvements to the connection between I-395 and State Road 836,{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Ready-Set-Tunnel-89800017.html|title=Actual Work Spotted at Port Tunnel Project|author=Hank Tester|date=April 2, 2010|publisher=NBC Miami|access-date=April 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313131426/http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Ready-Set-Tunnel-89800017.html|archive-date=March 13, 2012|url-status=dead}} also known as the Dolphin Expressway, at Interstate 95. The tunnel will allow heavy trucks to bypass the congested Downtown Miami area, which is considered to be especially crucial with the large increase in trade traffic expected to be created by the Deep Dredge Project and the enlargement of the Panama Canal. Projected to eventually carry 26,000 vehicles a day under Government Cut through its twin two-lane tunnels,{{cite news| url=http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2008/01/14/16/tunnel512K.source.prod_affiliate.56.flv| title=Video: Animation showing what the tunnel would look like| publisher=Miami Herald| date=January 15, 2008| access-date=January 15, 2008}} the top of the tunnels lie over 60 feet (18.3 m) below the seabed. The project created nearly 1,000 jobs as of 2011, with 70% reported as local;{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/100708/story6.shtml|title=Port of Miami tunnel project is indeed a big bore|author=Risa Polansky|date=July 8, 2010|publisher=Miami Today News|access-date=March 30, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/25/1646317/miami-cant-afford-to-have-port.html|title=Miami can't afford to have Port of Miami tunnel delayed|author=Alyce Robertson|date=May 25, 2010|publisher=Miami Herald|access-date=March 30, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} project executives promised that many of the construction jobs would go to local contractors.{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Jobs-Digging-deep-for-locals-102013228.html|title=Port of Miami Tunnel Digging Up Local Jobs|date=September 1, 2010|author=Hank Tester|publisher=NBC Miami|access-date=April 3, 2011}} Along with the related Deep Dredge and Panama Canal Expansion, over 30,000 jobs are expected to be created in the long run.{{cite web|url=http://transportationnation.org/2011/03/17/a-man-a-plan-a-canal%E2%80%94miami/ |title=A Man, A Plan, A Tunnel |date=March 17, 2011 |publisher=TransportationNation |access-date=April 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727233530/http://transportationnation.org/2011/03/17/a-man-a-plan-a-canal%E2%80%94miami/ |archive-date=July 27, 2011 }}

Before completion of the tunnel, in 2009, nearly 16,000 vehicles travelled to and from PortMiami through downtown streets each weekday. Truck traffic made up 28% (or 4,480) of this number (Source: 2009 PB Americas Traffic Study). In 2010 it was estimated that around 19,000 vehicles traveled to the port daily but that only 16% were trucks. Existing truck and bus routes restricted the port's ability to grow, driving up costs for port users and presenting safety hazards. They were also thought to congest and limit redevelopment of the northern portion of Miami's Central Business District.

The Port of Miami Tunnel includes providing a direct connection from the Port of Miami to highways via Watson Island to I-395 and, along with the deep dredge, keeping the Port of Miami, the county's second largest economic generator (after Miami International Airport), supporting over 11,000 jobs directly with an average salary of $50,000,{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2314899/ready-to-rake-in-the-big-bucks.html |title=Ready to rake in the big bucks |author=Miami Herald Editorial |publisher=Miami Herald |date=July 14, 2011 |access-date=July 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811011202/http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2314899/ready-to-rake-in-the-big-bucks.html |archive-date=August 11, 2011 }} a competitive player in international trade.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/press_releases/10-07-13_city_county_deep_dredge.asp|title=City-County team up to secure federal funding for Port of Miami Deep Dredge Project|author=Miami Dade County|publisher=MiamiDade.gov|date=July 13, 2010|access-date=April 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905005339/http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/press_releases/10-07-13_city_county_deep_dredge.asp|archive-date=September 5, 2010|url-status=dead}} The Port of Miami provides 176,000 jobs, $6.4 billion in wages and $17 billion in economic output. (Source: 2007 Port of Miami Economic Impact Study).

File:PortMiami Tunnel logo.png

The tunnel project is a public-private partnership (PPP or P3), designed to transfer the responsibility to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the project to the private sector. Ten banks, BNP Paribas, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, RBS Citizens, N.A., Banco Santander, Bayerische Hypo, Calyon, Dexia, ING Capital, Societe Generale, and WestLB, will provide the senior debt financing for the project, which totals $341.5 million. The project attracted three bidding consortia. Under the concession agreement, FDOT will make milestone payments to the concessionaire (Miami Access Tunnel) during the construction period, upon the achievement of contractual milestones. 90% of Miami Access Tunnel's equity is provided by Meridiam Infrastructure Miami LLC (Luxembourg based Meridiam SARL); the remaining 10% by France's Bouygues Travaux Publics SA, operating as Dragages Concession Florida Inc. The Port of Miami Tunnel Project was one of the first P3s in Florida, and the first availability-based P3 deal in the US,{{cite web|url=http://www.projectfinancemagazine.com/Article/2408364/Miami-Tunnel-PPP-full-deal-analysis.html|title=Miami Tunnel PPP-full deal analysis|date=October 23, 2009|publisher=Project Finance|access-date=April 5, 2011}} after the Interstate 595 (I-595) renovation project in Broward County.{{cite web|url=http://www.projectfinancemagazine.com/Article/2408329/Search-Results/Port-of-Miami-Tunnel-Digging-deep.html|title=Port of Miami Tunnel: Digging deep|publisher=Project Finance|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2011}}

When construction is completed, FDOT will make availability payments to the concessionaire. These payments will be contingent upon actual lane availability and service quality: if the tunnel is closed or the road is in bad condition, part or all of the payment for that period may be withheld.{{cite news|url=http://www.metroplanning.org/news-events/article/6126|title=PPP Profiles:Port of Miami Tunnel|author=Chrissy Mancini Nichols|date=March 21, 2011|publisher=Metropolitan Planning Council|access-date=March 31, 2011}} The tunnel will be turned over to FDOT in first-class condition at the end of the contract in October 2044, thirty years after its completion.{{cite web|url=http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/case_studies/fl_port_miami_tunnel.htm |title=Case Studies-Port of Miami Tunnel |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |year=2010 |access-date=April 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117161805/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/case_studies/fl_port_miami_tunnel.htm |archive-date=January 17, 2011 }} Maintenance costs over this 30-year period are expected to total around $200 million. Unlike many similar public-private partnerships, the tunnels will not have a toll.

The originally scheduled June 2014 opening was delayed due to several mechanical problems, including leaky pipes, broken exhaust fans due to sudden vibrations, and failing bolts. The general contractor Bouygues was fined $115,000 for every day that the tunnel was not open, losing millions of dollars. The tunnel was officially opened to commercial and private traffic on August 3, 2014.

File:Port of Miami Tunnel middle segment.JPG

File:Tunnel uphill to Port of Miami.JPG

According to the Miami Herald the financing structure of the plan is notable for the amount of financial risk taken by the builders in return for the long term concession on the tunnel. Opposition to the project states that it is a waste of taxpayer money, and may become Miami's Big Dig, the nickname of a tunnel megaproject in Boston, which was a $4 billion project that ended up costing $22 billion in cost overruns. Many believe that the Port of Miami Tunnel Project will be likely to have similar cost overruns,{{cite web|url=http://www.transitmiami.com/fdot/is-the-port-of-miami-tunnel-our-big-dig-or-our-tunnel-to-nowhere|title=Is the Port of Miami Tunnel Our Big Dig or OurTunnel to Nowhere?|date=June 2, 2010|author=Felipe Azenha|publisher=Transit Miami|access-date=April 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701100905/http://www.transitmiami.com/fdot/is-the-port-of-miami-tunnel-our-big-dig-or-our-tunnel-to-nowhere|archive-date=July 1, 2011|url-status=dead}} even though the Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) promised that the project would finish on time and without overruns.{{cite news|url=http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21001398277369/|title=Work on the Port of Miami tunnel gets under way|date=June 11, 2010|publisher=WSVN-TV|access-date=April 4, 2011}} They also state that truck traffic is not a problem in Downtown, and that since 1991 car and truck traffic had reduced significantly.{{cite news|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2010-06-03/news/port-of-miami-tunnel-is-a-waste-of-taxpayer-money/|title=Port of Miami Tunnel is a waste of taxpayer money|date=June 3, 2010|author=Erik Maza|publisher=Miami New Times|access-date=March 31, 2011}}

Downtown business owners have referred to it as the "tunnel to no where," stating that no one will use it. In 1992, 32,000 vehicles entered the port daily, a number which later dropped to nearly half that, but had once again risen to around 19,000 by 2011. It has been regarded as a boondoggle project by those who oppose it, stating that the city can't afford it. In fact, the city did have difficulty providing its $50 million portion of the funding for the project.{{cite web|url=http://seshippingnews.typepad.com/south_east_shipping_news/2009/12/miami-tunnel-threatened-again-as--sec-orders-miami-to-turn-over-its-financial-books------------miami-dade-county-corruption-e.html|title=Miami Port Tunnel threatened again as SEC orders Miami to turn over its financial books|date=December 12, 2009|publisher=South East Shipping News|access-date=July 21, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/23/2281988/give-bicyclists-space.html|title=Letters to the Editor|publisher=Miami Herald|date=June 23, 2011|access-date=July 21, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} Some believe it may create traffic problems on the MacArthur Causeway; environmentalists worry about the potentially negative impact the construction could have on the Biscayne Bay.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/05/five_reasons_carlos_gimenez_is.php|title=Five Reasons Carlos Gimenez Is The Wrong Man For The Job|publisher=Miami New Times|author=Francisco Alvarado|date=May 24, 2011|access-date=May 24, 2011}} An ominous foreshadowing of cost overruns, Miami Access Tunnel requested money from a $150 million reserve fund in July 2011 for the unexpected need to grout the limestone beneath the surface so that the tunnel boring machine cuts more smoothly. This request alarmed new Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Giménez when it was brought up at his first commissioners meeting as mayor on July 7.{{cite news|url=http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21004777518455/|title=New Mayor attends first commission meeting|publisher=WSVN-TV|date=July 7, 2011|access-date=July 24, 2011}}

The contractor stated that they will continue without the additional requested money if FDOT denies it, but it may end up as a court case as the contractor seeks it later.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/07/2304438/firm-building-miami-tunnel-seeks.html |title=Firm building Miami tunnel seeks more money months before starting to drill |author=Alfonso Chardy and Martha Brannigan |publisher=Miami Herald |date=July 7, 2011 |access-date=July 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810205509/http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/07/2304438/firm-building-miami-tunnel-seeks.html |archive-date=August 10, 2011 }} On July 19, the FDOT denied the request for more money to the contractor, stating that the geological issue cited was not as extensive as MAT claimed.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/19/2321645/florida-officials-deny-reserve.html|title=Florida officials deny reserve funds for Port of Miami tunnel builders|date=July 19, 2011|author=Alfonso Chardy|publisher=Miami Herald|access-date=July 21, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}

Although there is great speculation that the Port of Miami Tunnel project is both unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer dollars, it is expected to have positive benefits in the long run which coincide with several other related projects predicted to increase its traffic, many, such as the Port of Miami Deep Dredge Project and Panama Canal expansion, slated to be finished in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The port has gone through several expensive projects throughout its history, and many have been seen as beneficial to the economic growth of the Greater Miami area in the long run, such as in the 1950s when the deteriorating Port of Miami, then located in the mainland in downtown, was moved to its current home, the man-made Dodge Island.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/05/1957463/seaport-spending-raises-questions.html|title=How much should Seaport spend?|author=Andrew D. Melick|date=December 12, 2010|publisher=Miami Herald|access-date=April 2, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} The current port director of the Port of Miami Bill Johnson states that these new port infrastructure projects should be able to double the port's container capacity over the next decade. Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff stated that "This is the best public works project ever." A strong trade industry is also considered to be a vital sign of a good and improving economy.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/110526/story2.shtml|title=Outlook for small business financing is becoming brighter|author=Marilyn Bowden|date=May 26, 2011|publisher=Miami Today|access-date=May 29, 2011}}

File:Miamicruiseships20071208.jpg

In addition to the expected increase in cargo traffic, the Port of Miami recently stated that October 2010 was its busiest October ever for cruise vacations. The port had a record 346,513 cruise passengers that October, up 29% from October 2009. This follows a record year in cruise traffic, with 4.15 million cruise passengers in the 12 months that ended in September.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/south-florida-travel/2010/12/21/port-of-miami-had-busiest-october-ever-for-cruises/ |title=Port of Miami had busiest October ever for cruises |author=Doreen Hemlock |date=December 21, 2010 |publisher=Sun Sentinel |access-date=March 31, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226192435/http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/south-florida-travel/2010/12/21/port-of-miami-had-busiest-october-ever-for-cruises/ |archive-date=December 26, 2010 }} This is partially due to the arrival of new cruise ships such as the Norwegian Epic, as well as the cruise line Costa Cruises.{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2010/10/20/cruise-traffic-soars-at-port-of-miami.html|title=Cruise traffic soars at Port of Miami|publisher=South Florida Business Journal|date=October 20, 2010|access-date=March 31, 2011}} Despite this, the Port of Miami has recently been losing cruise and cargo traffic to nearby Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. In 2010, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, which is headquartered in Miami, chose Port Everglades as home for its new cruise ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas,{{cite web|url=http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/viewRelease.php?id=30 |title=Royal Caribbean Announces Allure Of The Seas' Inaugural Season |publisher=Royal Caribbean International |year=2009 |access-date=April 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714224153/http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/viewRelease.php?id=30 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }} at the time the largest cruise ships in the world.

As for cargo traffic, truckers state that despite the longer miles, they can make more trips per day at Port Everglades. Also, they blame the port itself for this, not the Downtown traffic. They state that at Port Everglades, they can make three to four runs a day, versus Port of Miami where "you're lucky if you get in two," states truck driver Alejandro Arrieta, due to waiting time at the port, which is often several hours. Port Everglades also has major redevelopment plans underway that includes its own deep dredging to a {{convert|50|ft|m|adj=on}} depth;{{cite news|url=http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2010/03/03/port-everglades-300-million-for-dredging-in-2-billion-expansion-plan-usa/|title=Port Everglades: 300 million for Dredging in 2 billion dollar expansion plan (USA)|date=March 3, 2010|publisher=Dredging Today|access-date=April 6, 2011}} they also claim to have surpassed the Port of Miami, which has long been known as the "Cruise Capital of the World" as well as the "Cargo Gateway to the Americas," in both cruise traffic and cargo tonnage handled.

File:FEC line track repair to Port of Miami.jpg

{{further|PortMiami#Railroad access}}

The Port of Miami was also recently awarded a federal grant as part of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program to restore a connection between the Florida East Coast Railway's yard in Hialeah and the Port of Miami, directly connecting the port to rail networks across the United States,{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Port-of-Miami-Rail-Project-Groundbreaking-125643573.html|title=Port of Miami Rail Project Groundbreaking|author=Jeanette Sheppard, Hank Tester|publisher=NBC Miami|date=July 15, 2011|access-date=July 16, 2011}} as well as re-establish the port's on-dock rail capability (loading and unloading directly between ships and trains).{{cite news|url=http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/miami-port-rail-link-construction-set-3308.html |title=Miami port rail link construction set |publisher=Railway Age |date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=July 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927134249/http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/miami-port-rail-link-construction-set-3308.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }} The railroad bridge connecting the Port of Miami to the mainland was damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, at which time service was suspended, and the bridge remained closed for well over a decade.{{cite web|url=http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/newsletter/news3final.html|title=Back to the Future: Port of Miami & Florida East Coast Railway?|publisher=MiamiDade.gov|year=2010|access-date=March 30, 2011|archive-date=September 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903183716/http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/newsletter/news3final.html|url-status=dead}} Rail service to the port was restored by 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2014/05/07/seaport-rail-expand/|title=Seaport rail to expand again|author=Blake, Scott|work=MiamiToday News|date=May 7, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2014}} The rail project is part of another element of increasing PortMiami's capacity; an inland intermodal center to be built near the airport known as Flagler Logistics Hub, which was planned to be built on 300 acres of land in Hialeah.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/110310/story7.shtml|title=Million-square-foot Flagler logistics hub key piece of Miami's international trade puzzle|author=Zachary S. Fagenson|publisher=Miami Today News|date=March 10, 2011|access-date=March 30, 2011}}

Opposition to the railroad line returning to service included that it would be as much of a problem to downtown traffic as the container trucks and that the noise would be a disturbance to nearby residents. As with before, however, trains are occasional and reserved for specialty loads, such as oversized loads and hazardous materials, which will be banned from the tunnel.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} It was also stated that the trains, which will be able to go up to 30 mph on the newly renovated line versus the old limit of 5 mph,{{cite news|url=http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21004844394580/|title=Port of Miami rail connection breaks ground|publisher=WSVN-TV|date=July 15, 2011|access-date=July 16, 2011}} will be able to cross Biscayne Boulevard in 90 seconds.{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2011/07/15/fec-rail-project-starts---800-jobs.html|title=FEC rail project starts – 800 jobs expected|author=Ashley D. Torres|publisher=South Florida Business Journal|date=July 15, 2011|access-date=July 17, 2011}} The current plan is for the line to be strictly for intermodal services, with the project including a rail yard and station at the port, however, in the future a passenger station may be added.{{cite web|url=http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/tiger_II_grant.asp|title=TIGER II Grant|publisher=Miami-Dade.gov|year=2010|access-date=April 11, 2011|archive-date=November 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111025601/http://www.miamidade.gov/portofmiami/tiger_II_grant.asp|url-status=dead}}

File:Container trucks from Port of Miami causing downtown congestion.jpg through downtown]]

Another major benefit of the tunnel will be the redirecting of the large number of vehicles (nearly 16,000 daily; 2009 estimate),{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/110602/story2.shtml|title=Florida East Coast Rail line to haul 5% of cargo trucks from Port of Miami|date=June 2, 2011|author=Zachary Fagenson|publisher=Miami Today|access-date=June 2, 2011}} many of them container trucks and cruise buses, that cross Biscayne Boulevard (US 1) at NW 5th Street (Port Boulevard), using level streets, such as Northeast 1st Avenue, which for years were the only way to access the port.{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/A-really-sexy-project-96176779.html|title=FDT Deems Port Tunnel "Really Sexy"|author=Hank Tester|date=June 11, 2010|publisher=NBC Miami|access-date=April 1, 2011}} Along with the capacity of the port, the amount of truck traffic could double after the completion of the numerous port projects.{{cite web|url=http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2010/11/26/usa-port-of-miami-deep-dredge-project-to-double-its-cargo-capacity/|title=USA: Port of Miami Deep Dredge Project to Double its Cargo Capacity|date=November 26, 2010|publisher=Dredging Today|access-date=April 1, 2011}} Additionally, the Port Boulevard entrance to the port is closed at night, concentrating all truck traffic during the day. This traffic creates congestion and presents a danger to pedestrians and bicyclists. Traffic is also considered to be a harm to Miami's northern central business district, reducing its ability to grow, including Miami's new Arts & Entertainment District, valued at over $12 billion.

The developers for a once planned project for the north side of downtown, known as Miami City Square, stated that the heavy truck traffic and congestion in that area was a "grave concern."{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/080724/story1.shtml|title=Walmart in downtown Miami? Company confirms discussions have taken place, but says no agreements have been made|date=July 24, 2008|author=Yudislaidy Fernandez|publisher=Miami Today News|access-date=April 7, 2011}} The Omni Community Redevelopment Agency used a $50 million loan from Wachovia to donate towards financing the tunnel construction.{{cite web|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/110602/story7.shtml|title=Miami to ease financial pressures by refinancing some loans|author=Jacquelyn Weiner|date=June 2, 2011|publisher=Miami Today|access-date=June 7, 2011}} Resorts World Miami by Genting Group and Miami World Center are two proposed major development planned for the area where congestion is a concern.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/31/2338880/genting-group-is-betting-on-miami.html|title=Genting Group is betting on Miami as future resort destination|publisher=Miami Herald|date=July 31, 2011|author=Elaine Walker|access-date=August 1, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}

Additionally, the population of Downtown Miami nearly doubled from 2000 to 2010, and is expected to increase by several thousand more in the current decade, largely due to many new high rise condo developments in the downtown area adding thousands of housing units which will benefit from having the tunnel.{{cite web|url=http://enr.construction.com/news/transportation/archives/070412.asp|title=Florida DOT Mulls Bids on $1-Billion Miami Tunnel Job|year=2007|publisher=Engineering News-Record|access-date=April 3, 2011}} Although traffic and port activity has declined since the early 1990s, losing some of it to the nearby Port Everglades, which overtook Port of Miami in 2007 as Florida's largest cargo port, the port is likely to see a large shift in the other direction after it becomes one of few deep water ports in the United States able to handle the New Panamax ships by 2016. Within the first month of opening, it was reported that congestion in the downtown area had eased.{{cite web|url=http://www.communitynewspapers.com/brickell/port-miami-tunnel-marks-first-month-operation/|title=Port Miami Tunnel marks first month of operation|author=Muiz, Andria C.|publisher=Miami's Community Newspapers|date=October 1, 2014|access-date=November 2, 2014}}

It was estimated that 46% to 80% of the passenger vehicles, many of which are shuttle buses and taxis and make up nearly three quarters of the total port traffic will use the tunnel after it was completed.

File:Container trucks leaving the Port of Miami through downtown.jpg

{{further|PortMiami Deep Dredge Project}}

The timing of the tunnel's construction and opening coincides with PortMiami Deep Dredge Project that will see the port dredged deeper to accommodate larger ships expected following the completion of the Panama Canal expansion, now expected to be completed in 2016 (previously 2014).{{cite news|url=http://www.sandandgravel.com/news/article.asp?v1=13907|title=Port of Miami seeks funds for 'Deep Dredge' project|date=November 26, 2010|author=Uncredited|publisher=SandandGravel.com|access-date=April 1, 2011}} This will allow much larger ships, known as New Panamax, which will have a capacity of more than double that of Panamax ships to traverse the canal. This is predicted to cause a major increase in the Port of Miami's cargo traffic, which would overwhelm the intersection of Port Boulevard and Biscayne Boulevard without the tunnel. In 2009, 870,000 trucks moved cargo in and out of the port; and port officials estimate that that number will increase to around 1.4 million when larger ships start arriving.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/21/1785682/port-of-miami-puts-rail-project.html|title=Port of Miami puts rail project on fast track|author=Alfonso Chardy|publisher=Miami Herald|date=August 21, 2010|access-date=March 30, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} In 2010, about 800,000 TEU's were moved through the port, and port director Bill Johnson said that with the right marketing to major shippers, that number should double by 2020.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/110609/story5.shtml|title=Major logistics centers vital to leverage growth at Port of Miami, Miami International Airport|publisher=Miami Today|author=Zachary Fagenson|date=June 9, 2011|access-date=June 8, 2011}} Currently, the largest cargo ships that dock at the port have a capacity of around 4,200 TEU's (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). After the canal expansion and port dredging, ships as large as 7,500 to 8,500 TEU's will be able to dock there.

File:Port of Miami Tunnel construction 20100913.jpg

File:Port of Miami Tunnel construction, March 30, 2011.jpg

Work on the Port of Miami Tunnel project began on Watson Island and Dodge Island, including work on the MacArthur Causeway, in May 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.portofmiamitunnel.com/project-overview/construction-schedule/|title=Construction schedule|publisher=Florida Department of Transportation|year=2010|access-date=March 31, 2011}} Groundbreaking on the construction project was unannounced and considered secret, as the groundbreaking was scheduled for June 2010, but actually took place on May 24, 2010,{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Start-Digging-Port-of-Miami-Tunnel-Construction-Begins-94743849.html|title=Dig This: Port of Miami Tunnel Construction Begins|date=May 24, 2010|author=Brian Hamacher|publisher=NBC Miami|access-date=April 4, 2011}} without ceremony.

The tunnel boring machine was built in Germany and had to be re-assembled in Florida after arriving in crates on the {{convert|168|m|ft}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Combi-Dock-1-9400473.html|title=Combi Dock I (IMO: 9400473)|publisher=vesseltracker|access-date=June 24, 2011}} cargo ship Combi Dock 1{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/23/2281986/machine-to-drill-port-of-miami.html?asset_id=Tunnel%20boring%20machine%20arrives&asset_type=html_module|title=Machine to drill Port of Miami tunnel arrives|publisher=Miami Herald|author=Alfonso Chardy|date=June 23, 2011|access-date=June 24, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} on Thursday, June 23, 2011,{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/23/2280635/ship-carrying-tunnel-boring-machine.html|title=Ship carrying tunnel boring machine to dock at Port of Miami|author= Lidia Dinkova, Alfonso Chardy|publisher=Miami Herald|date=June 23, 2011|access-date=June 23, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite news|url=http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21004656155575/|title=Boring equipment brought for port tunnel construction

|publisher=WSVN-TV|date=June 23, 2011|access-date=June 23, 2011}} and being assembled in the median of the causeway{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/17/2221660/drivers-hit-the-brakes-for-road.html|title=Drivers hit the brakes for road construction in S. Fla.|author=Alfonso Chardy|date=May 17, 2011|publisher=Miami Herald|access-date=May 17, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} where the construction is taking place. Both directions of the MacArthur Causeway have remained open during the assembly of the machine except for nighttime lane closures and delays on the westbound side.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/27/2286404/assembly-of-tunnel-boring-machine.html|title=Assembly of tunnel boring machine to cause MacArthur Causeway lane closures|author=Lidia Dinkova|publisher=Miami Herald|date=June 27, 2011|access-date=June 27, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}

The machine, which weighs more than 2,500 tons, was assembled in a {{convert|65|ft|m|adj=on}} deep pit known as the launching pad located in between two concrete walls in the median of the causeway, which only left a {{convert|42|ft|m|adj=on}} cutter visible from the road.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/13/2275946/a-giant-step-for-port-of-miami.html |title=A giant step for Port of Miami tunnel construction |author=Alfonso Chardy |publisher=Miami Herald |date=June 20, 2011 |access-date=June 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008201032/http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/13/2275946/a-giant-step-for-port-of-miami.html |archive-date=October 8, 2011 }} According to NBC Miami, as of June 2011, 899 jobs had been created by the project, with over 70% being from the 305 area code (Miami-Dade County).{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/124189689.html|title=Port of Miami Tunnel Dig to Get Into High Gear|author=Hank Tester|date=June 20, 2011|publisher=NBC Miami|access-date=June 22, 2011}} The construction is projected to take 47 months, with the tunnel being finished in 2014. The French firm Bouygues Construction has been put in charge of operating the tunnel boring machine, which was nicknamed "Harriet" in July 2011 after a naming competition was sponsored by MAT and the FDOT, and carried out by the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida.{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/mh-miami-tunnel-boring-harriet-20110809,0,3764160.column |title=Miami tunnel boring machine gets a name: Harriet |publisher=Sun Sentinel |author=Alfonso Chardy, The Miami Herald |date=August 9, 2011 |access-date=August 11, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The tunnel boring machine was longer than a football field at {{convert|540|ft|m}} long,{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/110414/story7.shtml|title=Monster boring machine from Germany to dig Port of Miami tunnels|date=April 13, 2011|author=Ashley Hopkins|publisher=Miami Today|access-date=April 13, 2011}} and over {{convert|40|ft|m}} in diameter. It was used to bore two side by side {{convert|43|ft|m}} diameter tunnels, one for each direction, each 3,900 feet (1.1 km) long.{{cite web|url=http://www.tunneltalk.com/Miami-Port-Tunnel-Jul10-Groundbreaking.php|title=Port of Miami Tunnel gets underway|author=Shani Wallis|publisher=TunnelTalk|year=2010|access-date=March 31, 2011}} The tunnel boring machine itself cost $45 million and was custom built for the Port of Miami Tunnel Project by the German firm Herrenknecht. No explosives are said to be used on the construction of the tunnel. Drilling of the tunnel itself commenced in mid-November 2011, with the drilling machine beginning work on the Watson Island tunnel entrance.{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/14/2502420/port-of-miami-tunnel-drilling.html|title=Port of Miami tunnel drilling starts|last=Viglucci|first=Andre|date=November 14, 2011|work=The Miami Herald|access-date=November 29, 2011|location=Miami, Florida}}

The first tunnel connecting Watson Island and the Port of Miami was completed in August 2012,{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/Port-of-Miami-Tunnel-Halfway-Done-164430536.html|title=Port of Miami Tunnel Halfway Done}} and the second tunnel was completed on May 9, 2013, as "Harriet" emerged back on Watson Island, where digging had commenced in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/05/3382306/portmiami-tunnel-to-reach-end.html|title=PortMiami tunnel digging reaches end of the line|website=Miami Herald }} The roadway construction should finish for an opening on May 15, 2014. The MacArthur Causeway, which currently has three traffic lanes in each direction and a sidewalk on the eastbound side, will be widened to four {{convert|12|ft|m|adj=on}} wide traffic lanes with a ten-foot inner and outer shoulder, as well as a six-foot sidewalk.{{cite web|url=http://www.portofmiamitunnel.com/system/js/back/ckfinder/userfiles/files/10-0603%2520-%2520Technical%2520Fact%2520Sheet-%2520FINAL.pdf |date=June 2, 2010 |author=POMT Public Affairs Program Office |title=Technical Fact Sheet |publisher=Florida Department of Transportation |access-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929013644/http://www.portofmiamitunnel.com/system/js/back/ckfinder/userfiles/files/10-0603%20-%20Technical%20Fact%20Sheet-%20FINAL.pdf |archive-date=September 29, 2011 }}

The tunnel was officially opened to commercial and private traffic on August 3, 2014, after minor mechanical delays pushed back the originally scheduled June 2014 opening date. The general contractor Bouygues was fined $115,000 for every day that the tunnel was not open, losing millions of dollars.

In March 2011, one of the sub contractors of Bouygues fell under criticism for the dumping of tunnel fill on sensitive wetlands on Virginia Key. They were supposed to be dumping the fill on Virginia Key on the degraded northwest side, but were found dumping it 80 to 100 yards (73.1 to 94.5 m) from the designated spot,{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/117855834.html|title=Rogue Contractor Dumps Tunnel Fill In Wetlands|author=Janie Campbell|publisher=NBC Miami|date=March 12, 2011|access-date=March 30, 2011}} where they damaged wetlands and killed about 40 mangrove trees with a piece of equipment that got stuck.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/25/2283309/dont-make-virginia-key-a-casualty.html|title=Don't make Virginia Key a casualty|publisher=Miami Herald|author=Miami Herald Editorial|date=June 25, 2011|access-date=June 25, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} The intention was that they would be allowed to put 55,000 cubic yards (42,050.5 m³) of fill there provided that they use it to build a berm to block the view of Virginia Key's sewage water treatment plant.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/11/2110734/tunnel-contractor-makes-wetland.html|title=Tunnel contractor makes wetland mess|author=Andres Viglucci|publisher=Miami Herald|date=March 11, 2011|access-date=March 30, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} The fill that was dumped on Virginia Key was mainly rock and soil from road construction and site preparation on Watson Island and not from tunnel boring, which environmentalists object being put on Virginia Key as it may not be as clean. The north point of Virginia Key is one of the last remaining undeveloped areas near the Miami downtown area and has been recently restored as it was previously used as a dumping site for the infill from the Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami Marine Stadium, and Norris Cut.{{cite web|url=http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2011/06/28/usa-officials-propose-virginia-key-park%E2%80%99s-north-point-for-dumping-site/|title=USA: Officials Propose Virginia Key Park's North Point for Dumping Site|publisher=Dredging Today|date=June 28, 2011|access-date=June 29, 2011|archive-date=May 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501035108/http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2011/06/28/usa-officials-propose-virginia-key-park%E2%80%99s-north-point-for-dumping-site/|url-status=dead}}

One other potential infill site that was briefly suggested is an inlet located between Bicentennial Park and the American Airlines Arena on the mainland in downtown, where Miami-Dade County was conducting a study on the effects it would have.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/110616/story2.shtml|title=Downtown Miami inlet a dredging dump site?|author=Jacquelyn Weiner|publisher=Miami Today News|date=June 16, 2011|access-date=June 25, 2011}} This proposal was quickly retracted after public outcry due to the fact that the currently closed off waterfront lot, known as "Parcel B," is slated to soon be a long anticipated public park.{{cite news|url=http://www.biscaynetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=939:a-waterfront-park-for-all-to-enjoy&catid=50:community-news&Itemid=223|title=A Waterfront Park for All to Enjoy|author=Erik Bojnansky|date=August 4, 2011|publisher=Biscayne Times|access-date=August 4, 2011}} There has also been minor controversy over speculation that a yacht allegedly owned by Bouygues may have been bought with public money. A Bouygues spokesperson denied this claim.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2011/03/does_bouygues_contractor_on_th.php|title=Does Bouygues, Contractor On The $1 Billion Port Of Miami Tunnel, Have A $1 Million Yacht?|author=Michael Miller|date=March 23, 2011|publisher=Miami New Times|access-date=April 7, 2011}} The owner of the seaplane base on Watson Island has accused the tunnel builders of trespassing for storing equipment on his property as well as for using the road that passes through his property. FDOT and city officials said the use of the land is permitted.{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/29/2339472/tunnel-builder-accused-of-trespassing.html|title=Tunnel builder accused of trespassing on seaplane base|author=Alfonso Chardy|date=July 31, 2011|publisher=Miami Herald|access-date=August 1, 2011}} {{dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}

{{Portal|Transportation}}

• Port of Miami Deep Dredge Project
• New Panamax
• Panama Canal expansion project
• Transportation in South Florida

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{attached KML|display=inline,title}}

{{Commons category|Port of Miami Tunnel}}

• [http://www.portofmiamitunnel.com/ Port of Miami Tunnel website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ROOwKkzik 2005 POM Tunnel animation video]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq2Zj0sH1jE Newer Tunnel animation video]

{{Bridges of Florida}}

Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Miami

Category:Tunnels in Florida

Category:Port of Miami

Category:Tunnels completed in 2014

Category:Undersea tunnels in North America

Category:Road tunnels in the United States

Category:2014 establishments in Florida

Category:Watson Island