Everglades Proposed Skyway

After 80 years of blocking water flow to the southern tip of Florida, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that they have awarded an $81 million construction contract  to construct a 1 mile long bridge over a key segment of Tamiami Trail. This has been viewed by experts to be the biggest obstacle to restoring the natural sheet of water to Everglades National Park. Although the real number of miles that the roadway should be elevated is 11, all consider 1 mile a good start considering the 20 years of litigation and resulting delays to progress.

Dan Kimball, superintendent of Everglades National Park stated, “This will raise the roadway so we can raise the water and push the water to the south,” The improvements would allow water managers to raise the water level in the canal that runs along the north side of the trail by one critical foot, from 7.5 to 8.5 feet. Seems small, but it’s enough to nearly double the current flow of water south into the park to more than 70 percent of its original volume, Kimball said.

The $81 million includes constructing the bridge and raising and reinforcing an additional 9.7 miles of Tamiami Trail, which will allow for higher water in the canal. That work is estimated to be complete in 2013. We at Political Chili will monitor this project’s progress because more litigation and pending suits wait down the road. Getting the first shovel in the ground will be a big accomplishment in South Florida.