The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) revealed on Friday that NE 13 Street in downtown Miami will experience a full and continuous closure starting tonight and lasting until Monday morning. This is part of the drainage improvement efforts under the massive Connecting Miami project.
According to a notice shared by FDOT South on social media, the shutdown will stretch from Biscayne Boulevard to NE 2 Avenue on NE 13 Street. It will commence at 10 p.m. tonight and end at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 27, without any breaks over the weekend.
This affected area is located near the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, a heavily trafficked part of downtown Miami.
Authorities have urged drivers to plan their routes in advance when passing through downtown.
"Plan ahead, utilize alternate routes, and allow extra travel time," advised FDOT in their official statement.
The closure is a segment of the I-395/S.R. 836/I-95 Design-Build project, widely known as Connecting Miami, one of the city's most ambitious road infrastructure endeavors.
Connecting Miami Project Overview
This mega-project involves the overhaul of 1.4 miles of the I-395/SR 836/I-95 corridor, including the construction of the Signature Bridge, a six-arch bridge over Biscayne Boulevard that will link downtown with the MacArthur Causeway.
The initial budget for this project was $802 million, but it has escalated to over $866 million due to alterations and construction issues, as highlighted in a report detailing the delays plaguing the project.
The completion date has been postponed several times, with FDOT confirming that the project will not be finished before 2029.
Previous and Upcoming Closures
Residents in the area are not unfamiliar with closures on NE 13 Street. In May 2026, a planned drainage closure on this street had to be postponed due to forecasted rain, and FDOT announced at the time that a new schedule would be released when weather conditions improved.
The project has also encountered other setbacks. In January 2026, it was temporarily halted following a construction accident while FDOT and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted investigations.
This weekend's closures are not expected to be the last in the area. According to the weekly update from the Connecting Miami project, additional night closures are scheduled for Biscayne Boulevard between NE 11 Street and NE 13 Street from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. during the week of July 27 to August 1, with potential additional daytime closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions About Downtown Miami Street Closures
What is the purpose of the street closures in downtown Miami?
The street closures are part of the drainage improvement efforts within the larger Connecting Miami project.
When will the closures on NE 13 Street start and end?
The closures will begin at 10 p.m. tonight and will end at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 27.
Has the project faced any delays or budget increases?
Yes, the project has experienced several delays and the budget has increased from $802 million to over $866 million due to various issues.
What other closures are planned for the upcoming week?
Additional night closures are planned for Biscayne Boulevard between NE 11 Street and NE 13 Street from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. during the week of July 27 to August 1, with possible daytime closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.