Rick Scott announces Miami Signature Bridge Project

Gov.Rick Scott announced Tuesday that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has committed to building a cost-effective I-395 bridge that will improve connectivity between I-95 and PortMiami.

The FDOT will seek appropriations from the Florida Legislature in the departments Work Program with the goal of beginning construction in 2018.

Im proud to announce that in partnership with the city of Miami, we have developed a path forward in constructing this signature bridge," said the governor. "Miami is a global hub for business and tourism, and through our investment in PortMiami and the PortMiami Tunnel project, Floridas strength in the global marketplace will only continue to grow.

State lawmakers chimed in with Scott's positive sentiments on the project.

The I-395 signature bridge will improve access to and from PortMiami. Not only will this project provide an economic impact, the bridge will be an inspiring tribute to Miamis status as a major global leader," said Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah.

As we continue to see investments in Floridas ports, this project will further strengthen PortMiami as Florida prepares for the expansion of the Panama Canal," said Rep. Eddy Gonzalez, R-Hialeah. "The I-395 signature bridge will allow the city of Miami and Florida to become the trade gateway to the Americas and beyond.

City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado said the project was important for Florida's economic success.

PortMiami is incredibly important to Florida's economic success and this project will improve access to it. Miami is undeniably a global hub for business and this project will be a huge success for the Miami community."

The city of Miami and FDOT agreed to the creation of an advisory committee of five individuals to be selected by mutual agreement between the city and the department.

The advisory committee will be tasked with:

-- Evaluating and recommending to the department, from among the various bridge concepts proposed by FDOT, the bridge concept that best fulfills the commitments made by FDOT as part of the Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and adopted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in its Record of Decision for the project.

-- Providing input to FDOT on the selection criteria for teams interested in submitting proposals for the project.

-- Serving as an aesthetic advisory group to FDOT during the procurement of the firms to design and build the project.

-- The parties also agreed that the cost of the entire renovation project shall not exceed $600 million.

FDOT is developing the preliminary design for a roadway project along SR 836/I-395, from west of I-95 to the MacArthur Causeway Bridge in Miami. The project will rebuild I-395 from west of I-95/midtown interchange to the West Channel bridges of the MacArthur Causeway, a stretch of approximately 1.4 miles.