MAT Concessionaire, LLC (MAT) hired Bouygues Civil Works Florida (BCWF) to design and build the project.
The contractor, BCWF, is responsible for getting all necessary regulatory permits.
Because these qualities are important to local residents and visitors alike, FDOT has committed to making the project compatible with the visual and aesthetic qualities of surrounding areas. Aesthetics are a major part of the project, and those considered include but are not limited to the tunnel portals, landscaping, lighting, tunnel interior and support buildings. The project’s final design team will coordinate its efforts with the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Aesthetics Review Committee (TARC).
The Architect chose the Latin verb for navigate because it is the root verb for the same word In English as well as all the Romance languages used by so many different citizens and travelers to Miami.
The construction stages are as follows: Watson Island roadway work, MacArthur Causeway Bridge widening, the first tunnel boring from Watson Island to Dodge Island, the second tunnel boring from Dodge Island to Watson Island, and the rebuilding of the bridge and roadways on Dodge Island (Port of Miami).
A plan was developed to make sure the flow of traffic is maintained on MacArthur Causeway. All closures are coordinated with the city of Miami and the city of Miami Beach, as well as Watson Island businesses. For the latest information on lane closures, please visit our traffic updates page, where you can also view live traffic conditions.
Traffic will be affected during the construction phase of the tunnel project. However, all lane closures on Dodge Island are being coordinated with Port of Miami and FDOT staff to minimize impacts. Detours must match the existing number of lanes for the cruise and cargo industries. While working on Dodge Island, the contractor will assure that a safe environment for drivers and construction workers is provided. Notification of local agencies and media and adequate signage indicating road closures and other construction activities will be used to plan alternate routes in advance whenever necessary.
With the tunnel boring operations taking place 120 feet under the channel bottom, no significant disruptions of port activities are anticipated. In addition, restrictions for the channel are as follows:
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The tunnel boring machine cannot operate within 100 feet of a parked cruise ship.
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No interruptions of scheduled ship movements in the channel or in the turning basin are allowed except for agreed construction windows which are always coordinated with port staff.
Construction activities may take place at night and will be required to follow local noise ordinances at construction locations.
Water from the spoil material will be settled out and recharged back into the ground through wells. The contractor will be responsible for disposal and management of the spoil generated from tunnel construction. Spoil material will be trucked off site to pre-designated areas. All appropriate approvals and permits from the regulatory agencies are the contractor’s responsibility
On January 28, 2013, FDOT began construction of the interim roadway improvements along SR 836/I-395 from NE 1st Avenue to Biscayne Bay. Work performed under this interim project included: widening the roadway and bridges in order to provide three eastbound and three westbound travel lanes; installing barrier wall along the median and outside of the roadway; building a retaining wall system; installing several drainage structures to improve storm water runoff; installing new lighting along the roadway; replacing overhead sign structure along westbound I-395 near Biscayne Bay; repaving and restriping the westbound I-395 exit ramp to North Bayshore Drive and eastbound I-395 entrance ramp to the MacArthur Causeway; improving the riding surface of the roadway; updating signage and pavement markings and relocating and removing several trees. For more information visit: www.fdotmiamidade.com. The project is expected to be completed by the time the tunnel opens.