The Downtown Miami Underdeck Lands $60 Million US Department Of Transportation Grant

The new I-395 Underdeck and Heritage Trail project is one step closer with a $60 million grant that has been earmarked by the US Department of Transportation. This federal grant will make up the majority of the $83 million needed for the landmark project and is the largest federal grant ever received by the City of Miami, according to Mayor Francis Suarez.

About the Downtown Miami Underdeck

Not unlike The Underline, which stretches under the Miami Metrorail lines south from the Miami River, The Underdeck will bring jogging trails, bicycle lanes, sports parks and active-urban activation to the community. The Underdeck is located under the I-395 bridge and is comprised of 33 acres that is currently considered dead space.

Community leaders and locals have long complained that I-395 and I-95 have created a waste of space and a division between the neighborhoods. The space had previously been a catch-all of litter and despair, which is also an opportunity to create a family-friendly urban greenspace.

When completed, The Underdeck will tie together the Overtown, Downtown Miami, The Miami Arts’ District, Miami Worldcenter and on into Edgewater. Not only will the communities be brought together, property values will increase as well with the ease of access between the districts.

Renderings have been released for the project that is being designed by Hargreaves Jones, whose name has become synonymous with activating urban open spaces and streetscapes. Their previous work can be found in New Orleans’ Crescent Park as well as South Pointe Park in Miami Beach.

Rendering of the Downtown Miami Underdeck – Landscape Architecture

Scope of the Project

When completed, The Underdeck will transform a mile-long deadspace into a public park that stretches from Overtown to the Biscayne Bay. There are four main components that include Neighborhood Green, Active Heart, Live Work Play and the Civic Waterfront.

Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Heritage Trail

From the Neighborhood Green to the West, The Underdeck will add a play areas with splash pads for kids, an event lawn for yoga or concerts, plazas and the beginning of the Heritage Trail. Crossing over the Florida East Coast Railway tracks, the Active Heart area offers the signature pedestrian bridge so that joggers and bicyclists can safely cross over the railway as well as a pet playground and sport courts. Continuing to the East, Live Work Play and Civic Waterfront are home to more playgrounds, cafes and concession areas, beautiful water features and the new iconic Signature Bridge that will redefine our skyline.

The redesign of I-395 and addition of the new Downtown Miami Signature Bridge was the project that spurred discussion of activating the space below the highway and making the area a fully-designed and activated urban community.

Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Wildflowers

Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Bicycle Trails

Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Pedestrian Bridge

The new Signature Bridge is scheduled to be complete in 2027. If you would like to have first-hand accounts as the project comes together, Community Meetings are open to the public and take place virtually or in person. You can access a schedule and reserve a spot here.

Maps of The Downtown Miami Underdeck

Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Neighborhood Green

Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Active Heart

Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Civic Waterfront

Rendering of Downtown Miami Underdeck – Scope of Project