FYI Miami: December 21, 2023

Below are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.

ROADS CHANGE AGAIN: Another new downtown highway traffic pattern that’s to begin today (12/21) is literally paving the way for removal of today’s I-395 eastbound bridges to begin foundation construction of the higher-capacity I-395 that the state Department of Transportation says “will enhance safety, mobility and access.” The new pattern starting today will affect drivers going west on I-395 and those entering I-395 from the downtown Miami area. Drivers westbound on I-395 will be diverted to new bridges after passing Biscayne Boulevard. Drivers going north on I-95 will now exit on the righthand side and those headed south will exit on the left side. Drivers headed west on SR 836 will go straight. Downtown drivers will add an option to access westbound I-395 on a new entrance ramp at North Miami Avenue. There’s also access to the new westbound I-395 by turning right at a new signalized intersection after passing Northeast 14th Street.

AID FOR TALENT AND DATA: County commissioners unanimously last week urged the Florida Legislature to fund creation of both the Beacon Council’s Miami-Dade Talent Attraction and Retention Pilot Program and the council’s South Florida Institute of Economic Research. The resolution by Kevin Marino Cabrera put no price tag on either of the new council initiatives and offered no specifics. The talent effort focuses on retaining area college students and targeted attraction of people with in-demand skills “and position the county as a leader in targeted industry sectors,” citing as targeted industries cyber-security, artificial intelligence, financial services and technology, aviation, and corporate operations. The program also targets deeper collaboration among universities in the county. The research hub, the legislation says, is geared to provide “updated and accurate data, research, and analysis on current trends impacting the South Florida community, as well as annual economic forecasts.” 

ON RUNWAY TO RECORDS: Miami International Airport is projecting 2.7 million passengers through its corridors during the 17 days from today (12/21) and Jan. 6, which would be an increase over last year’s record-breaking season and position the airport to surpass 52 million passengers for the year, another record. Last year the airport surpassed 50 million for the first time. The airport says peak travel days are expected to be Dec. 22-23, Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 2-6, each day averaging more than 165,000 passengers. 

GAS DRIPS LOWER: Average gasoline prices in Miami fell 10.8 cents per gallon last week to $2.95, according to GasBuddy. That’s 18.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average fell 8.6 cents to $3.03.