Miami-Dade to resume cultural bus tours
From David Volz
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) have announced the resumption of cultural bus tours during Hispanic Heritage Month. Bus tours will run on Saturday, September 16th and Saturday, October 14th, in honor of the Hispanic traditions that have shaped our community’s unique history, culture, and identity.
“Our community is incredibly diverse, and this tour reflects our commitment to honor and celebrate the indelible mark Hispanic culture has left on Miami-Dade,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I encourage residents to take advantage of our County’s free cultural bus tours to learn more about Miami-Dade’s rich and colorful history.
The free, narrated two-hour tours offer riders an enriching experience to explore Miami’s Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Coconut Grove, Calle Ocho and the National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower. Riders will remain on the bus for this portion as the Freedom Tower is closed for major renovations ahead of its 2025 100th anniversary celebration. Participants will have the opportunity to exit the bus for approximately 30 minutes at our Lady of Charity and on Calle Ocho near Domino Park.
“Public Transportation is not merely about moving people from one place to another. It’s a conduit for dialog and understanding that helps us connect, share, and embrace the myriad stories in our diverse community that make Miami-Dade so special. The Hispanic Heritage Tour serves as a bridge, linking our community’s rich past to its promising future. We’re proud to facilitate this journey of discovery,” added Eulois Cleckley, Director and CEO of DTPW.
The tour will depart promptly at 10 a.m. from the Stephen Clark P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. First Street. Spaces are anticipated to fill up quickly.
Miami-Dade breaks ground on the final phase of The Underline
From David Volz
The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), Friends of The Underline, and elected officials broke ground on the third and final phase of The Underline. The event took place at University of Miami Metrorail Station.
The Underline is a unique 10-mile multimodal corridor that reimagines the underutilized land beneath the Miami-Dade County Metrorail track. The existing M-Path is being transformed into a first-class walkable, bicyclist-friendly green space and has already garnered international recognition as a shining example of urban design.
“The Underline is a prime example of how our county is redefining open spaces. With this project, we’re creating an innovative mobility corridor that connects residents to our Metrorail, the outdoors, and local businesses,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “By working together with partners like Friends of The Underline, the State of Florida, our many cities and municipalities, residents, and philanthropist Ken Griffin, we’ve broken ground on this long-awaited final phase.”
Phase 3 of The Underline is a 7.36-mile segment that connects from SW 19th Avenue near the Vizcaya Metrorail station to the Dadeland South Metrorail station. The entire segment links several communities including the City of Miami, Coral Gables, South Miami, and Unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Once completed, this phase will provide separated pedestrian and bicycle paths, improvements to over 30 intersections, access to public transportation, public Wi-Fi, enhanced lighting, and wayfinding.
“Our partnership with The Underline is a wonderful example of how government can activate underutilized land to create vibrant community gathering spaces for all,” said District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins, Chair of the County’s Transportation, Mobility, and Planning Committee. “It’s been amazing to watch residents and visitors enjoy District 5’s Brickell Backyard, Phase 1 of this linear park. I look forward to the completion of Phase 2 later this year, and today’s start of the Underline’s final phase.”
“I am proud to join The Underline in celebrating the groundbreaking for the final phase of their project. The Underline Phase 3 will connect our communities and foster a vibrant, sustainable future for Miami-Dade County,” said District 7 Commissioner Raquel Regalado. “As we step into Phase 3, we embrace a new chapter of accessible green spaces, active transportation, and shared experiences that will enrich the lives of our residents and visitors alike.”
The Underline will both improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety while also enhancing connectivity and access to eight Metrorail stations along the path. The Underline is projected to serve more than 100,000 residents within a ten minute walk of the trail, improving access to public transportation, 24 schools, two hospitals, four malls and more than 10,000 businesses.
