Two renovated Flagler Street blocks open, the rest may take years

Years into a $33 million makeover, East Flagler Street’s first two renovated sections have reopened to vehicles. The rest of the Flagler makeover may take several years more.

Launched in 2021, the Flagler Street Beautification Project is transforming the stretch from Biscayne Boulevard to Northwest First Avenue into a walkable, festival-style corridor featuring curbless streets, widened sidewalks, upgraded drainage, new utilities, shade trees, LED lighting, public art and flexible spaces for markets and performances.

The work is sponsored by the City of Miami’s Office of Capital Improvements in partnership with the Flagler District Business Improvement District (BID) and the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

The construction is divided into five planned sections to maintain maximum progress while minimizing disruption. Sections A and B – the first to reopen to vehicular traffic on July 26 and July 30, respectively – stretch from Biscayne Boulevard to Northeast Third Avenue, and from Northeast Third Avenue to Northeast Second Avenue.

“The reopening of Sections A and B to vehicular traffic marks a major milestone for the Flagler Street Beautification Project and signals real, tangible progress,” the Miami DDA said in a statement. “This isn’t just about construction, it’s about restoring the heartbeat of Downtown Miami. Flagler is our historic main street, and with each section that opens, we move closer to a fully revitalized corridor that draws residents, businesses and visitors alike.”

First opened in the early 1900s and named for railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the street was once the city’s premier shopping district and remains a symbolic center of Miami’s urban core.

Now that Sections A and B are open, the DDA says it is working closely with the City of Miami to balance vehicular traffic during business hours with continued use of the street for popular community events.

The openings introduce a new traffic pattern to improve flow and access: westbound drivers can now enter East Flagler Street directly from Biscayne Boulevard, then either turn right onto Northeast Third Avenue, which is now one-way, or turn right onto Southeast Third Avenue, heading eastbound and also one-way.

Southbound traffic from East Second Avenue may turn left onto Flagler, and drivers heading west on Flagler must turn left on East Second Avenue to continue south. New signage is in place and officials caution that patterns may evolve as construction continues westward.

Section C, between East Second Avenue and East First Avenue, is expected to be finished by May 2026. Section D, from East First Avenue to Miami Avenue, is projected to wrap up by June 2026. Section E, the final phase between Miami Avenue and West First Avenue, is awaiting a construction start date. Area Commissioner Damian Pardo’s office said the city is awaiting guidance from the bonding company on selecting a new general contractor to complete the work.

Once finished, the DDA says the redesigned corridor will deliver a “game-changer” for downtown. “We’re creating a place where people want to walk, shop, dine, and connect,” the DDA said. “For businesses, it means more foot traffic and new opportunities. For residents and visitors, it’s a reason to come back to Flagler and stay awhile.”