Miami-Dade County continues improvements on the Rickenbacker Causeway

The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) will begin construction on May 30, 2023, on a shoreline stabilization and protection project in the open space along the Rickenbacker Causeway on the north side of Hobie Island Beach. This project will improve and beautify the area by increasing the resilience of the shoreline and beach, and improving the parking area. It will also provide an improved pedestrian and bicycle underpass connecting Hobie Island Beach North to Hobie Island Beach South, under the William Powell bridge.

“The Hobie Island Beach project is an important component of our long-term goal of improving our Rickenbacker Causeway for residents and visitors,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This project is a perfect example of our work to make public spaces future-ready, welcoming, safe and resilient.”

Hobie Island Beach covers 9.6 acres of recreational shoreline along the Rickenbacker Causeway, and has been closed to the public since 2017 due to damage caused by Hurricane Irma. This project aims to stabilize the shoreline along the north side of Hobie Island Beach through shoreline protection and improved stormwater management along the Rickenbacker Causeway. As part of this project, 160 invasive Australian Pine trees will be removed, and replaced with 290 native trees, palms, and additional shrubbery.

Construction is scheduled to begin this month and expected to be completed in approximately 15 months. Once the project is complete, residents will be able to enjoy the beauty of Hobie Island Beach with newly planted native trees, a multi-use path, and parking improvements.

Miami-Dade County continues making significant progress with relation to enhancing safety and recreation along the Rickenbacker Causeway. Last month, construction began on relocating a driveway entrance to Hobie Park Beach South, which is currently just east of the William Powell Bridge. The new location is approximately 350 feet east of its current location. The new entrance will increase the distance between the bridge and the entrance which augments sight distance and advanced warning time for vehicles entering the park, while making things safer for cyclists and pedestrians. 

For project updates visit DTPW’s website or follow the Department on social media on Twitter, and Facebook.

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