Summer 2025 Construction Update For Miami's 325' Tall Signature Bridge As The Arches Take Form On 'The Fountain'

Miami’s Signature Bridge, known as The Fountain, is entering a new phase of construction as the project’s iconic arches begin to rise above I-395, offering a first glimpse of the monumental structure set to redefine the city’s skyline. The six-arch bridge, designed as both a transportation link and architectural statement, is progressing steadily according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Once complete, it will improve traffic flow between I-95, I-395, and SR 836 while creating an iconic new visual gateway into downtown with six sweeping arches. Set to span 1,025’ over NE 2nd ave. and Biscayne Boulevard, the largest of the six-arches will reach 325’ tall and 650’ wide. Several key segments of the arches are now being installed, with full vertical completion anticipated in 2027.

The Signature Bridge is the centerpiece of a larger infrastructure initiative that includes reimagining the space beneath it. Known as The Underdeck, this 55-acre public park will stretch from Overtown to downtown, reconnecting neighborhoods long divided by highway infrastructure. Planned amenities include green space, pedestrian paths, public art, and event areas. The broader design-build effort is being led by the Archer Western–de Moya Joint Venture in collaboration with FDOT and the City of Miami. More than just a road project, the Signature Bridge aims to blend mobility, urban design, and community revitalization into a single, transformative vision for Miami.

The Signature Bridge project has had its fair share of drama. In July 2018 the bridge was awarded a Notice to Proceed following an April 2018 hearing where the State of Florida Division of Administration Hearing ruled in favor of FDOT after bridge advocate and former Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff filed a lawsuit alleging that FDOT violated their 2013 settlement agreement via their handling of bids to design and build the bridge by manipulating scoring to allow the Archer Western and The de Moya Group's proposal to win. In May 2018 a Judge ruled in favor of FDOT to allow them proceed with the winning design.

Wynwood BID Study Reveals Wynwood-Edgewater Needs Train Amid Fast-Rising Density

The Wynwood BID has completed a study which reveals that amid fast-rising density, Wynwood-Edgewater is more in need of a train station than Midtown Miami-Design District. The Wynwood-Edgewater area is looking at nearly 65 million square feet of new development according to urban planner Cesar Garcia-Pons, who conducted the study and is a former Deputy Director of the City of Miami Planning & Zoning Department. The Wynwood proposed Tri-Rail train station would be near 29th street while the planned Midtown Miami-Design District station would be located at 36th Street under the I-195 overpass. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has agreed to provide funding for half of the Midtown Miami-Design District station with the additional funds covered by the city and county. The Wynwood BID will now share the results of the study with City of Miami of elected officials, as well as members of the City administration for their consideration. The Wynwood BID initially endorsed the Tri-Rail station concept by way of resolution in May 2018, expressing willingness to work side by side with Tri-Rail, as well as City of Miami and Miami-Dade County leaders, to bring the service to the area with a centrally-located station.

“The Wynwood BID prides itself on implementing forward-thinking urban planning concepts in our growing district – and that includes doing our part to find solutions to Miami’s growing traffic challenges,” said BID Board Member David Polinsky. “We hope that our City of Miami and Miami-Dade County partners will take note of this new study and work with us to ensure that the booming Wynwood-Midtown-Edgewater area houses a permanent Tri-Rail station.”

“From an urban planning perspective, it’s important that any new transit stations in Miami’s urban core not only be located near vibrant, mixed-use residential and commercial communities, but also within a neighborhood or area that has the greatest potential for residential and employment growth,” said Garcia-Pons. “The results of the study make a compelling case for siting a commuter transit station a bit further to the south.”

Downtown Miami's $800 Million Signature Bridge Awarded Notice To Proceed By FDOT

Florida Department Of Transportation (FDOT) has awarded the Archer Western-de Moya Joint Venture, the contractors for Downtown Miami's $800 million Signature Bridge, a Notice To Proceed. The final chosen design known as The Fountain and will be the new gateway to Miami Beach, transforming I-395 and the entry to MacAruthur Causeway. The initiative will build a 55-acre park, known as Heritage Trail, under the bridge, as well as changes to State Road 836 including adding a lane and building Miami's first double-deck highway. The construction timeline is 4 years.

The Signature Bridge project has had its fair share of drama. In an April 2018 hearing, the State of Florida Division of Administration Hearing ruled in favor of FDOT after bridge advocate and former Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff filed a lawsuit alleging that FDOT violated their 2013 settlement agreement via their handling of bids to design and build the bridge by manipulating scoring to allow the Archer Western and The de Moya Group's proposal to win. In May 2018 a Judge ruled in favor of FDOT to allow them proceed with the winning design.

Judge Rules Florida Department of Transportation Can Proceed With "The Fountain" Signature Bridge

A judge has ruled to allow the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to proceed with the winning design for Downtown Miami's proposed $802 million Signature Bridge. The winning design is known as "The Fountain" designed by Archer Western and The de Moya Group. In an April hearing, the State of Florida Division of Administration Hearing ruled in favor of FDOT after bridge advocate and former Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff filed a lawsuit alleging that FDOT violated their 2013 settlement agreement via their handling of bids to design and build the bridge by manipulating scoring to allow the Archer Western and The de Moya Group's proposal to win. Another design by contractors Fluor, Astaldi and MCM, which finished in second, was allegedly the favorite design by community representatives. The court ruled that Fluor-Astaldi-MCM failed to prove that "The Fountain" was chosen due to corruption. The legal action delayed the groundbreaking which was supposed to commence in 2017 and be completed in 2022. The Signature Bridge is expected to cost $802 million with $626 million in funds provided via the State of Florida including state motor fuels tax, vehicle license fee, and documentary stamp collections; and $186 million being funded via MDX toll revenue bond proceeds. 

Brightline Locks Down Final Approvals For Phase 2, To Begin Construction To Orlando In 2018

Brightline can finally begin construction on Phase 2, their new line of tracks to Orlando after gaining federal approval from the U.S. DOT for the transit line. Construction on Phase 2 is expected to kick off in early 2018. Service is expected to soon commence between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, adding service to Miami soon after. On December 15, 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Record of Decision for the privately funded Brightline intercity passenger rail project between Miami and Orlando. The Record of Decision (ROD) represents the final step in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process after the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was issued in 2015 and is the last federal environmental approval needed to construct the system between West Palm Beach and Orlando. This decision marks the achievement of another significant milestones for the company as it gears up to launch Phase 1 of its service and start construction north of West Palm Beach. Over the past 4 years, The Federal Railroad Administration worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard, along with local authorities, cities and counties, on the project's development and issuance of the FEIS. Brightline’s station in Orlando will be located at the Orlando International Airport’s new Intermodal Terminal Facility (ITF) that will be the hub of the future South Terminal complex. The ITF is connected to the North Terminal by a recently completed Automated People Mover and includes a 5,000-space parking garage. SunRail, Central Florida’s commuter rail system, has a planned connection to the ITF. Over the next few months, Brightline will finalize the design for the rail infrastructure and the 70-acre Vehicle Maintenance Facility which will be located on Orlando International Airport property. Construction of the system will create thousands of jobs and provide a much-needed link between Florida’s two most visited and populated regions.

“This is the most critical and final step in the extension of Brightline’s service to Orlando, and we are excited to move forward with Phase 2,” said Dave Howard, Brightline’s CEO. “This was a great year for us as we completed construction on two of our major stations and rail infrastructure, successfully presold tickets and corporate packages to individuals and businesses throughout the region and priced $600 million in Private Activity Bonds to fund Phase 1. We look forward to launching service to Miami and starting construction north to Orlando in the first quarter of 2018.”

Drama Heating Up Over Downtown's Proposed $800 Million Signature Bridge For I-395

The drama continues to heat up over the design and construction of Downtown Miami's proposed and approved, $800 million Signature Bridge, which would transform I-395. A Miami-Dade judge denied a motion by FDOT to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who challenged the state's controversial choice of the $800 million "The Fountain" design by Archer Western and The de Moya Group. Sarnoff was a major advocate to get the bridge redesign approved, working with Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado to hold FDOT to their pledge to include the Signature Bridge as part of I-395's replacement. Sarnoff's case alleges that FDOT violated their settlement agreement via their handling of bids to design and build the bridge by manipulating scoring to allow the Archer Western and The de Moya Group's proposal to win. Another design by contractors Fluor, Astaldi and MCM, which finished in second, was allegedly the favorite design by community representatives. In their motion to dismiss, FDOT argued that the court venue was improper as another case is currently under review by Florida's Division of Administrative Hearings. That case is scheduled to be heard in November and December of this year (2017). Check-out the winning bid, "The Fountain" by Archer Western and The de Moya Group here.  

$800 Million "The Fountain" Chosen as Winning Design for Signature Bridge

“The Fountain” has been chosen as the winning design for the $800 million Signature Bridge project in downtown Miami. The selection was made by FDOT which controversially shunned public opinion. The winning concept, which was inspired by Miami's location serving as a gateway to South America, came from a joint venture team led by Archer Western- de Moya. The bridge would feature color changing LED's on the cables and arches and will feature a 55-acre public park beneath which will be known as Heritage Trail. Construction will begin in late 2017 with completion estimated in 2022 but a formal protest from the 2nd place team which lost by a mere 1/2 point may delay the project. The press release states:

"The Fountain concept was inspired by Miami’s world renowned status as the center of the Americas. Miami has been influenced in its development and growth by various regions throughout the United States, the Carribean, as well as Central and South America due to its position as the Gateway City. In 1930, Pan American Airways established Miami as its worldwide headquarters with its terminal at the current City Hall, and provided the initial links that opened up the potential of Miami’s waterfront to all of the Americas. The Fountain’s design symbolizes these influences similar to an “airline map” depicting the curved travel paths to and from the central city of Miami.

The Fountain was aptly named to signify Miami’s connection to the water that began several thousand years ago with the Tequesta Indians and continues to this day with the tens of millions of visitors that make Miami their warm weather destination for the sun, beach, cruises, vibrant nightlife, and culture. The bridge is designed using contextual metaphors drawn from the region’s tropical and urban environments. The overall vision for this signature bridge is to emphasize the essence of Miami as a center for the Arts, with this structure as its nexus, making it a focal point of civic life for all Miamians, and what will become the heart of Miami for our children and grand-children.

The Fountain Bridge also provides vast open spaces below the bridge allowing for the development of our proposed Heritage Walk. Heritage Walk memorializes Miami’s history including the original Tequesta Indian inhabitants, Julia Tuttle and Henry Flagler, the original African American settlers to Overtown, the Cuban immigration, and Miami’s status as a global city with limitless potential through culture, art, and bold imagery."