The Everglades Skyway

The case for the Everglades Skyway: A bold step in restoring the natural flow of the Everglades

Environmentalists are coming together to unite for the development of a skyway that could drastically improve the natural water flow of the Everglades that has been averted through canals due to the construction of the Tamiami Trail in 1928. The road has been strangling the Everglades National Park from the vital flows of water from the North, thus creating a dry and distorted southern landscape affecting many fisheries that are dependent on a healthy ecosystem.

The concept of the Skyway was developed as a restoration project to help restore the historic sheet flow of the Shark River Slough, an area of the park that has enormous economic value in terms of fisheries, recreational opportunities, flood protection, and water quality. The original plan was to elevate an 11 mile stretch on the Tamiami Trail, however, the project has now been positioned into 3 phases. The phase currently being pushed is a 5.5 mile bridge, which is now in the public review process. The public review will last until July 27th 2010, where it will then go into a Final Review until November 19th 2010, and a Final Review of Design on March 31st.

Environmentalists are seeking support from the community to help move this project along, which can help generate jobs, support tourism, benefit wildlife and restore the water flows of the Everglades.

There will be a public review meeting on Thursday, June 24th from 6-9pm at the South Dade Regional Library, 10750 SW 211th Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189. Map: click here

To learn more about the Everglades Skyway, visit their website at http://www.buildtheskyway.com/