Port of Miami/FEC reconnection project to break ground

Friday, July 15, construction will begin on an approximately $50 million project to reconnect the Port of Miami to the national rail network via the Florida East Coast Railway. More than 800 workers will be employed bringing $33.38 million in wages to South Florida. Reconstruction of the rail line, rehabilitation of the bridge and construction of the Intermodal Rail Yard on Dodge Island will enable Miami to accommodate super cargo ships scheduled to arrive in 2014 with the expansion of the Panama Canal. July 15, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will join Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and other local officials at a groundbreaking on the rail tracks. A $22.8 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation together with funds from the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida East Coast Railway and Miami-Dade County are paying for the massive construction program. The federal funds will be used to fix the bascule bridge and construct the on-port rail facility. The Florida Department of Transportation, Florida East Coast Railway and Miami-Dade County have contributed additional funds to the project. • U.S. Department of Transportation $22.767 million • Florida Department of Transportation $10.9 million • Florida East Coast Railway $10.9 million • Port of Miami $4.8 million