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Commissioner Raquel Regalado unveils 'Shoreline' plan to remake Rickenbacker Causeway
Summary
County Commissioner Raquel Regalado and project partners presented a concept to stack through‑traffic on a viaduct above the Rickenbacker Causeway, reclaim ground level for parkland, multimodal paths and stormwater infrastructure, and link the corridor to The Underline. Presenters cited daily counts of ~40,000 cars and estimated 28,000 through‑trips as the basis for the design.
County Commissioner Raquel Regalado presented a sweeping redesign for the Rickenbacker Causeway on the Village of Key Biscayne, proposing a raised viaduct to carry high‑speed through‑traffic while reclaiming the ground level for parkland, protected bike lanes, pedestrian paths and stormwater infrastructure. "We are at a tipping point," Regalado said, framing the proposal as more than a road project and urging a regional, multi‑stakeholder approach.
The project concept, branded in the presentation as "the Shoreline," would move an estimated 28,000 daily bypass trips onto a second‑level viaduct and leave roughly 12,000 slower, local trips at grade. Presenters said the corridor currently handles about 40,000 cars per day, and that separating those movements could reduce conflict points between vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians while freeing up as much as 60–65% additional permeable ground area in some sections to add beach and green space. "This is not a roadway project. This is reimagining that roadway project so that we actually improve open space and resiliency," Regalado said.
Why it matters: The Rickenbacker corridor connects Key Biscayne’s beaches and event venues to the mainland and regularly experiences large spikes in congestion for weekend events, storms and peak recreation hours. Presenters said the Shoreline would address three priorities: traffic flow, expanded public open space, and stormwater resilience by reducing impervious surface at the ground level and adding green infrastructure similar to The Underline project.
What the plan would do: Renderings and cross‑sections shown to the village audience described a two‑level approach: a higher‑speed, longer‑distance viaduct for through traffic; and a redesigned ground level with slower local lanes, protected bike lanes, separated pedestrian paths, permeable parking and plazas. The team said some sections could add roughly 150–200 parking spaces while reducing crossing distances for pedestrians and providing room for native plantings and dunes.
Engineering details and safety features: Presenters emphasized grade separation and multiple lanes that permit pelotons or emergency access on the side lanes. An engineer from HDR described the upper roadway clearance as roughly 26½ feet above the ground, and the team showed sections where the viaduct would bypass existing weave points to reduce crisscrossing maneuvers.
Costs, financing and timeline: Commissioners and engineers said cost estimates are preliminary and more design work is required. During Q&A an audience member cited a commonly used benchmark — "around $100 million a mile" for elevated roadways — and the presenters said final numbers will depend on alignment, the extent of stacking and the engineering work needed to accommodate utilities and other infrastructure. Regalado described potential funding tools including bonds, stormwater grants and event‑related revenue measures; she said the county may explore dynamic tolling but ruled out privatization. No formal funding decision or vote occurred at the meeting.
Interim and complementary measures: The team stressed work underway to reduce event‑day congestion before construction would begin: improved event transit, park‑and‑ride buses from Metrorail stations, ride‑share drop‑off strategies, and ferry studies. Regalado said county staff and the Transportation Planning Organization are examining event transit plans that would apply Thursday–Sunday peak periods.
Community concerns and permitting: Residents pressed for clarity on where the viaduct would land, construction sequencing to avoid long closures, and federal and environmental reviews. One long‑time resident warned that environmental reviews and NEPA processes can be slow; presenters acknowledged permitting timelines and said they would aim to coordinate with the Bear Cut planning process so the existing Causeway remains usable while new elements are built.
Next steps: Regalado said the county will bring a refined item to the Board of County Commissioners, schedule workshops with elected officials and staff, and host a field trip to The Underline for stakeholders. She invited village and city partners to participate in further design and finance discussions.
No formal motions or votes were taken. The meeting closed with organizers committing to additional public workshops and follow‑up technical meetings.
