Rickenbacker Causeway

A nearly $4.1 million road project is set to begin this Spring for the West and William Powell Bridges — two of spans that link Key Biscayne to the mainland. Closures are expected to be limited to overnight hours on weekdays only, with both bridges being reduced to one lane in each direction.

The Key Biscayne Council approved spending $950,000 to move forward with the innovative Shoreline Rickenbacker renovation design this week. Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado said she can deliver the project and was nonplussed when it came to skeptics.

On tolls, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s budget would cause resident annual plan tolls to triple from $24 to $72 under the 2026 budget coming up for a first vote Thursday. The regular toll would rise $1 to $3.25.

No fishing, walking or cycling, is allowed at at the Rickenbacker pier after closure for unspecified safety reasons, according to a post by Miami-Dade County transportation officials — much to the chagrin of local fishermen.

State transportation officials said popular parks — the main driver of weekend traffic jams — won’t be closed during repairs to the Rickenbacker flyover exit later this month. Is there a contingency plan in case the detours don’t work?

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is recommending a five-year, $5 million study to kick off major changes to the Rickenbacker Causeway, including a planned replacement of the aging Bear Cut Bridge.

Two cyclists were killed Sunday afternoon after being struck by an SUV on the Rickenbacker Causeway. It remains unclear how the accident occurred.