Progress for PortMiami

This article describes the recently-opened twin-bore tunnel project that links Watson Island with the Port of Miami, focusing on the ambitious public-private partnership that made this huge tunnel and roadway reconstruction project a reality. The 4,200 foot long Port of Miami Tunnel, opened in August 2014, extends under the Biscayne Bay and allows cargo and cruise traffic to avoid traversing the urban core of downtown Miami on the way to the port. The project had two goals – to decrease traffic in downtown Miami and to improve the port’s economic competitiveness. The author describes how the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) utilized a public-private partnership for this project in which the private partners provided the initial capital, assumed responsibility for design and construction, and operate the finished tunnel on a long-term basis. Topics include the geological design considerations; the equipment used for different parts of the project, including a 42.3 foot diameter tunnel-boring machine; the use of a water control process for tunneling; the presence of five cross-passages between the two tunnels, used for maintenance and to support emergency evacuation; the tunnel entrances, interior finishes, and above-grade buildings; the use of electronic message boards for driver information and realtime updates; and the economics of the project. The article is illustrated with full-color photographs and an aerial view that illustrate the project and its benefits.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Authors:
  • Landers, Jay
• Publication Date: 2014-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Maps; Photos;
• Pagination: pp 50-57
• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 84
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design build; Geotechnical engineering; Structural engineering; Tunneling; Tunneling machines; Tunnels
• Identifier Terms: Port of Miami
• Geographic Terms: Miami (Florida)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Marine Transportation; I10: Economics and Administration; I25: Design of Tunnels; I42: Soil Mechanics; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01547452
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Dec 9 2014 8:39AM