On Friday, Audubon and others will celebrate the beginning of work on a bridge over part of the historic Everglades allowing water to flow beneath Tamiami Trail.  Audubon, whose scientists have studied wading birds and ecological conditions in the Everglades for over half a century, noted that the one-mile bridge is the beginning of efforts to restore habitats for abundant colonies of birds and other wildlife that the world’s most unique wetland system once supported.

“This groundbreaking is an initial step toward real ecological recovery of the Everglades and the magnificent life it supports,” said Eric Draper, Executive Director of Audubon of Florida.  “Loss of the super colonies of wading birds told us something was wrong with this system.  Bringing abundant birdlife back to the Everglades is our goal.”

When complete in 2013, the one-mile bridge along Tamiami Trail will reconnect fresh water flows through Northeast Shark River Slough into Everglades National Park. A component of what is known as the Modified Waters Deliveries Project, the initial bridge has overcome decades of political, economic, and legal hurdles and paves the way to accomplishing other important restoration projects.

“The Everglades has been torn apart by roads, canals and levees,” Draper said. “Putting the parts back together is the key to not only bringing the wildlife back but to securing fresh water for people and nature. We salute those who have worked so hard over the past 20 years and overcome so many obstacles to get to this point.”

Tamiami Trail was built in 1928.  A consequence of its construction was the division of the natural sheetflow of water, which historically nourished the Everglades and provided the conditions necessary for wading bird colonies.  Bridging Tamiami Trail will allow some of the connectivity of flow that is so important for achieving the ecological benefits of restoration.

Audubon applauds the dedication and longstanding commitment of the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Interior.  The staff of those agencies and many others worked for two decades to see this project begin.  That dedication continues, and even as celebration takes place of the implementation of this important first step, planning is underway for additional bridging of Tamiami Trail to increase ecological connectivity. Additional bridging is needed beyond the one mile, as well as further restoration efforts to restore natural water flows into the Everglades. Through these key restoration projects, visible ecological benefits and wildlife recovery will be achieved in Everglades National Park and Florida Bay.

Read Audubon’s fact sheet on Tamiami Trail and the Modified Water Deliveries Project.