Audubon applauds the new partnership for funding the next phase of Tamiami Trail bridging. Florida's $90 million commitment to match funds requested by the federal government will enable the benefits of the next 2.6 mile bridge to be in place much sooner. The ribbon-cutting for the first phase, a one mile bridge, was held this past March. This next phase of bridging is part of a larger 5.5 mile plan developed by the U. S. Department of the Interior.

Since its construction in 1928, Tamiami Trail has served as a dam blocking the north to south flow of water at the heart of the River of Grass. The result has been parched wetlands and diverted water flows that impact wading bird populations in Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.

"This is a huge step forward for the state and federal partnership in Everglades restoration," said Julie Hill-Gabriel, Audubon’s Director of Everglades Policy. "The Tamiami Trail bridge is a keystone project that will connect the River of Grass and provide an outlet for dangerously high water levels north of the Trail and near the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. Endangered Wood Storks and other iconic birds and wildlife of the Everglades will see tremendous value from the expedited completion of this important phase of the Tamiami Trail bridging project."