Tamiami Trail Bridge: Our First Plan To Restore The Everglades

With this heartfelt speech, President Harry Truman formally dedicated Everglades National Park, on December 6, 1947.

Granting the Everglades “National Park” status came just in time. For the previous century, the government had been doing everything possible to drain Florida’s lower peninsula. Back then, most people felt the area was little more than a swampy wasteland. In the 1930’s, Florida Legislators actually declared a war on water, they wanted it harnessed, tamed, and contained.

You might think I am exaggerating for dramatic effect, but it’s true. Listen to a recording of a state official addressing the legislature.

Over the span of 100 years, 1,500 miles of canals were constructed solely for this purpose. Completed in the 1950’s, this massive network of waterways, gates, levees, and pump stations provided flood control and water supply to 6 million people and 1 million acres of farmland—but this free water came at a price—the Everglades suffered in turn. The natural flowing band of water was fragmented.

The seasonal water changes that nurtured much of the area’s wildlife gave way to man-controlled water management.

Thankfully, our federal government has a plan to fix it…

... a 30-year journey to restore the Florida Everglades.

Recognizing the Everglades ecosystem is in peril, the U.S. Congress passed the Everglades Restoration Plan. This multi billion dollar plan promises to be one of the largest restoration efforts ever undertaken. Over a 30 year time frame, the restoration will attempt to replicate the natural distribution of water to what remains of the Everglades.

The Tamiami Trail Bridge Project

One of the first restoration projects is right in Miami’s backyard. If you drive down Tamiami Trail, approximately 2 miles west of Krome Avenue, the Army Corps of Engineers is building a 1 mile bridge to replace a section of road that is damming up Shark River Slough. The bridge will allow more water flow south in to the park, and is scheduled for completion in December of 2013.

To find out more about the Tamiami Trail Bridge Project, download the fact sheet (PDF), or visit the website, EvergaldesPlan.com.

Want To Go Sightseeing With Us?

Join Miami Tour Company on an Everglades Tour From Miami. On the way to Gator Park, we drive down Tamiami Trail, right past where they are building the bridge.

The Everglades Eco Adventure was written with respect for the Everglades at the forefront, and provides a tremendous amount of information about the wildlife, weather, the National Park, and what our government is doing to restore the ecosystem.

Tours departs daily at 10:00 AM.

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