Brickell Key is bracing for a summer of bottlenecks as two major construction projects—the city’s overhaul of the island’s 78-year-old bridge and the first stage of the Mandarin Oriental redevelopment—get underway. Together, the works will squeeze traffic to a single lane in each direction, restrict pedestrian space, and shutter half of the popular baywalk.
Miami’s Public Works Department has launched a three-phase, $10 million rehabilitation of the Brickell Key bridge. The effort will repair the bridge deck, widen sidewalks, and shore up the seawall, with completion targeted for late 2025 or early 2026.
| Phase | What closes | Duration | How you’ll get across |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (mid-July) | Eastbound traffic lane + adjacent sidewalk | 8–10 weeks | Both directions funnel onto existing westbound lanes and sidewalk |
| 2 | Two center lanes (median removed to expand sidewalks) | 3–4 weeks | One lane in, one out; sidewalks on both sides remain open |
| 3 | Westbound lanes + west sidewalk | 8–10 weeks | All vehicles switch to eastbound side; pedestrians share a single sidewalk |
Drivers should expect prolonged delays during morning and evening peaks, while joggers and dog walkers must navigate narrower walkways in alternating directions.
Compounding the squeeze, the western half of the Brickell Key baywalk—running behind the shuttered Mandarin Oriental to the St. Louis condominium—will close on Monday, 7 July. Crews will begin gutting the hotel’s interiors under a demolition permit issued on 24 June.
The 25-year-old property officially ceased operations on 31 May. Complete demolition of the structure is slated for early 2026, clearing the site for a two-tower complex by Swire Properties that will pair a new flagship Mandarin Oriental hotel with ultra-luxury branded residences. Construction of the 850-foot south tower and its smaller sibling is expected to launch in the first half of 2026, with an opening targeted for the end of the decade.
Plan extra travel time: Single-lane access will be the norm for much of the next six months.
Consider alternate routes: At rush hour, the Brickell Avenue bridge and South Miami Avenue may offer faster mainland connections at rush hour.
Stay alert on foot: Sidewalk widths will change several times; heed detours and share space courteously.
Watch for baywalk detours: From 7 July, only the eastern waterfront path remains open.
City officials say additional lane or sidewalk closures may be scheduled as work progresses. Check the city’s project page or follow posted electronic signs for real-time updates.
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