Two years ago, the long-awaited first phase of The Underline arrived under Brickell Station, revamping the land below the Metrorail into a linear park and urban trail with something for everyone to enjoy. There’s biking and walking paths, a court for both basketball and soccer, an urban outdoor gym, butterfly and nature gardens and a sound stage for everything from concerts to yoga classes.
Since then, the second phase of the project is nearly complete, and the groundbreaking for the third and final phase of The Underline has officially begun.
The Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Friends of The Underline and elected officials gathered at the University of Miami Station on Tuesday to celebrate the next milestone on the project.
Phase 3 spans 7.36 miles, connecting SW 19th Ave near the Vizcaya Metrorail station to the Dadeland South Station. This expansion will link various communities including City of Miami, Coral Gables, South Miami and Unincorporated Miami-Dade.
It is being funded by the county, the City of Coral Gables, City of Miami, and the US Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Transportation.
What to expect for Phase 3 of The Underline
Phase 3 is set to feature 1,800 new trees and palms, an additional 350,000 native plants, and bioswales and bioretention basins. Along the 7-mile trail, there will be a marketspace; dog park; courts home to pickleball, basketball and a mini soccer pitch; a performing arts space, skating plaza and public art for all to enjoy.
The third and final phase is expected to be completed in 2026. Once the 10-mile Underline project is complete, it will provide safe biking and walking paths, improvements to 25 intersections along US1, access to public transportation, public Wi-Fi and more.
The project came into fruition by Meg Daly, founder of Friends of The Underline. In 2013, she broke both her arms while riding her bike and unable to drive to her physical therapy sessions, she decided to take the Metrorail near her home. When walking the rest of the way to her destination underneath the train tracks, she noticed how underutilized the space was. She partnered up with James Corner Field Operations (the lead designer for NYC’s High Line) to design what would become The Underline, which stretches along the Metrorail route from Brickell and the Miami River to the Dadeland South Metro station.
For more information on The Underline and Phase 3, click here to visit their website.