It's hard to talk about the I-395 Underdeck without first talking about Overtown. Highway building in the 1960s cut through the historically Black neighborhood and damaged streets, businesses and community ties. Today, Miami is planning a major public space beneath the rebuilt highway. The purpose is larger than adding a park: it is to help connect pieces of the city that were separated decades ago.

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What is actually planned

The City of Miami describes a 33-acre open space under I-395 and a roughly mile-long Heritage Trail connecting Overtown toward Biscayne Bay. Plans show paths for walking and biking, landscaped areas and places for events and recreation. The Downtown Development Authority also describes plans for flexible gathering spaces and public amenities. These are project plans, not parks available for use today.

The park is often called the Underdeck. Public agencies have also used the Reverend Edward T. Graham Heritage Trail name, honoring a civic and religious leader connected to Overtown. It is an important reminder that this should serve the neighborhood whose history is tied to the land.

Why the timeline is complicated

The new I-395 Signature Bridge is still under construction. The bridge and the public space below it are connected but not identical projects. A delayed bridge can delay park construction. The Downtown Development Authority’s project summary says a roughly $60 million federal award was rescinded in 2025, creating an additional funding problem for the city.

Current estimated dates should be treated as estimates. A rendering showing lawns and event spaces does not settle who will pay for each phase, when each walkway opens or how it will be maintained.

Who benefits from reconnection

A safe walking and cycling link between Overtown, Park West, Downtown and the waterfront could help residents access jobs, parks, schools and cultural destinations. Nearby businesses may gain foot traffic. There can also be pressure on rents and land prices, raising questions about who will share in any gains.