Tunnel Boring Machine
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) arrived at PortMiami on June 23, 2011. The TBM components were delivered to Watson Island launching shaft area, which included heavy components, trailing gear and spare parts via barge and trucking. Assembly of the TBM, working from front to back (shield first, then gantries), was completed by the end of October 2011. After testing, and nicknamed “Harriet” by the Miami-Dade County Girl Scouts Troops, Harriet launched from her home in the Watson Island pit on November 11, 2011, boring the first tunnel towards Dodge Island.
Tunnel Boring Machine
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) consists of a cutter head with an outside diameter of 42.3 feet (as high as a 4 story building) and a 361 foot long trailing support gear made up of 6 gantries. The total length of the TBM is 428.5 feet long (more than a football field). It is the largest diameter soft ground tunneling boring machine in the United States.
Watson Island
Parrot Jungle Trail and MacArthur Causeway have been moved south to provide room for the tunnel boring machine (TBM) and the tunnel opening for traffic in and out of the port. The new Parrot Jungle Trail and eastbound causeway lanes are shown on the right and the ongoing construction work is taking place in the median.
MacArthur Causeway Bridge
The MacArthur Causeway Bridge is currently being widened to add one new lane in each direction. The two left lanes in each direction will separate tunnel traffic from through traffic and direct it in and out of the tunnel openings, or portals. Construction began November 2010.
PortMiami – Dodge Island
The rebuilding of the bridge and roadways at PortMiami, located on Dodge Island begin in December 2010. Westbound and Eastbound Port Boulevard was shifted to create room for the contractor’s equipment and for the tunnel openings. Construction will continue under 2014.
Port of Miami Tunnel Project
The Port of Miami Tunnel (POMT) project is currently being built by MAT Concessionaire, LLC, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami.
By connecting SR A1A/MacArthur Causeway to Dodge Island, the project will provide direct access between the seaport and highways I-395 and I-95, create another entry to the Port of Miami besides the Port Bridge, and keep the Port of Miami, the community’s second largest economic generator, competitive.
Additionally, The POMT will improve traffic flow in downtown Miami by reducing the number of cargo trucks and cruise related vehicles on congested downtown streets, and will aid ongoing and future development in and around downtown Miami.
This site is a resource to answer your questions and keep you up-to-date on the most recent activities and information regarding the POMT. Take a moment to explore the site, sign up to receive information and feel free to contact us with your questions and/or comments.
Contact
Providing direct highway access to
the Port of Miami
Florida Department of Transportation
Toll Free- 1-866-513-7623
Liz Fernandez, MOT Public Information Specialist
Phone: (305) 219-9039|E-mail: lfernandez@c3ts.com
Kathy Yeomans, FDOT Construction Public Information Project Manager
Phone: (305) 640-7437|E-mail: kathy.yeomans@dot.state.fl.us
Maribel Lena, District Public Information Officer
Phone: (305) 470-5349|E-mail: maribel.lena@dot.state.fl.us