Infrastructure: Miami

The PortMiami Tunnel opened August 3, with officials from the partnering agencies – Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, the Federal Highway Administration, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Miami Access Tunnel, Bouygues Civil Works Florida and PortMiami participating in the first official drive-thru.

The tunnel provides two dedicated lanes in each direction connecting the airport and interstate highway directly to and from PortMiami. Both cruise and cargo traffic will be able to use the tunnel to access PortMiami. The tunnel restrictions are a maximum height of 15 feet and a maximum width of 8 feet, 6 inches. Placard and hazmat cargo are banned from the tunnel. Restricted cargo will continue to use the Port Boulevard Bridge.

Prior to the tunnel being built, the only way into the port was through Port Boulevard. That caused heavy truck traffic, cruise line buses and private cars to congest the narrow Central Business District, preventing downtown Miami from reaching its full potential.

The port is located on Dodge Island, a 518-acre island in Biscayne Bay and until now was connected to the city of Miami solely by the Port Boulevard Bridge.

Both cruise terminals and cargo handling facilities are located on the island. Cruise and administration facilities are mostly located on the northwest quadrant of the port, while Royal Caribbean offices and Cruise Terminal J are at the southwest corner. Container yards and space for ships to maneuver and berth comprise the remainder of the island. 

American Association of Port Authorities
Asociación Americana de Autoridades Portuarias
1201 Maryland Ave SW, Suite 860, Washington, D.C. 20024
E: info@aapa-ports.org
W: www.aapa-ports.org