Watch CBS News

Miami Officials Sue FDOT Over Bridge Design

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) -- City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Commissioner Marc Sarnoff have joined forces to sue the Florida Department of Transportation over the proposed design of a downtown bridge.

The circuit court lawsuit filed Monday accuses the department of reneging on a pledge to build a soaring, arched bridge on Interstate 395. The highway connects I-95 with MacArthur Causeway and Miami Beach.

Regalado and Sarnoff say the original plan was more aesthetically pleasing and also would remove barriers between downtown Miami and the Overtown district. FDOT instead opted for a less costly, boxlike design that would leave the community barriers in place.

The lawsuit seeks class-action status representing all Miami residents and asks a judge to force FDOT to adhere to the original plan. The department declined comment Monday.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.