Florida is serious about its environmental conservation efforts. The people and the government both local and Federal are willing to spend money just for these efforts to bear fruit. This is love and dedication can no more be seen than in the Tamiami Bridge Project. Started about 20 years ago during the Clinton administration, the project seeks to divert the water flow that has been blocked by the Tamiami Trail and restore the natural water flow using hydraulics and modifications on the Tamiami road itself. This sounds simple on paper, but this project would actually cost 10.7 billion USD from the Federal government and another 11.8 billion from the Local government, making this the biggest water restoration project in US history.
The Everglades National Park was partly overseeing this project and according to the park’s officials, the first thing in mind would be to remove as many barriers as they can, and this included roads, canals, levees and others. The Tamiami Trail has inflicted considerable hurdles to the health of the Everglades National Park and the park sought to correct this by implementing intensive measures to make sure there is much water that would flow to the “River of Grass”.
With the completion of this tremendous project, the completion of the bridge decongested the water flow in the Tamiami Trail and proved to be a truly historic day for the state of Florida, thanks to the wonderful partnership of the state of Florida, the Federal government, members of the Congress and the various stakeholders who made this momentous feat of engineering possible. The real effects of this project will still take years to be noticed even though the project was completed sometime around 2013, but this will surely be a start of the restoration of vitality in the region that would benefit future generations.
The bridge is only one mile, but the hydraulics and the planning and the terrain manipulation behind the project proved to be a challenge both logistically and financially, but despite the odds, the goals have been met and the bridge was expected and is now delivering an increase of 92% of water levels more compared to before the bridge was constructed. This bridge brings water to Northeast Shark River Slough as well as benefit the east portion of the Everglades National Park which spans 100,000 acres. Indeed, the Tamiami Bridge was a marvelous feat of engineering and architecture, a true mega structure of megalithic proportions.
The project shows the love and dedication of the people of Florida for nature. All the effort that was tirelessly put into the project for 24 years is indeed something to be inspired about. For all things Florida, particularly, Southwest Florida, check out our Articles page where we tell you in detail the awesome places you can spend your summer and even winter vacation in. Plus, don’t forget our podcast, Divine Naples Daily where we tell you the latest news and nice places to go to when in Naples, Florida. Or, better yet, book a spot in our Visitor Center where we can treat you with a nice concierge service and tell you all about the things that you can expect while in the Paradise Coast.
