Venetian Causeway Reopens
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The Venetian Causeway reopened Monday after months of construction.
The causeway reopened at noon on Monday after being closed for nine months.
"It's a great day. I think it's a very important pathway between Miami and Miami Beach," said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
After nine months of complete reconstruction, the historic bridge built in 1926 will once again be welcoming all those who admire its beauty.
Cristina Ramirez, a cyclist and jogger, was excited about Venetian's reopening. She wanted to be first in line to take some cool pictures on the bridge before it opened up to traffic.
"You can't run anywhere else in Miami where two sides of water are next to you. There's a bike path, a running path...You see friends all the time running. It's a community. It brings people together," said Ramirez.
She went on, "I live right around the corner, so this is how I get to work. This is where I train. This is why I do everything."
Marguerite Smith shared the sentiment.
"Before it was a pain because both causeways were pretty crowded," she said.
After months of getting rerouted commuters will now be able to take a slower scenic route across Biscayne Bay to and from Miami Beach.
"We're very excited it's opening up. Traffic is an issue all over South Florida. The biggest issue is getting off and on the beach. The Venetian Causeway will help ease the traffic concern," said Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine.
It took nine months for the $12.4 million project to be complete but they finished on schedule and on budget - something the mayor is very proud of.
"That's what we expect. We're very happy Alina Hudak and the Public Works team did a great job. I said to her I want it on time. I want it on budget. I want it on time. I want it on budget. She must have heard me say that 1000 times," said Mayor Gimenez.
