Miami-Dade Approves “Another Sexy Highway” to Extend the Dolphin Expressway

After obtaining preliminary approvals in June, a controversial plan to extend the Dolphin Expressway, AKA “Another Sexy Highway,” to West Kendall through the Everglades was approved by Miami-Dade commissioners by 9- 4 votes on Thursday.

According to critics, the 13-mile project challenges sound urban planning practices and threatens the natural environment. Earlier this year in a sarcastic marketing campaign launched by the Transit Alliance Miami, the so-called Kendall Parkway Plan earned the nickname “another sexy highway.”

While the final route of the six- lane extension is still being completed, the new tariff will push beyond the county’s own urban development boundary— a line that separates protected natural lands such as the Bird Drive Basin from developments such as subdivisions and malls.

In addition to worsening traffic congestion, encouraging suburban spread and threatening the Everglades, opponents argue that the $ 1 billion plan could be at the expense of the type of mass transit improvements that the county actually needs.

Despite winning over most of the commissioners and appearing to be a fore sure conclusion, the project still needs to secure state, federal, and Department of Environmental Resources Management permits.  Meanwhile, the new “sexy highway” in Miami-Dade county could potentially face some unsexy lawsuits.

Read the Original Article Here: Miami-Dade OKs Dolphin Expressway extension through the Everglades