Low-lying Miami Beach road may get a new seawall

Miami Beach and the Florida Department of Transportation are working on a deal to split the cost of installing a new seawall and a pump station along a flood-prone section of Indian Creek Drive.

The project, estimated to cost $25 million,  would protect a low-lying, one-mile section of Indian Creek Drive that attracted widespread media attention when seasonal king tides last fall flooded the road.

Indian Creek Drive is a state-owned road but Miami Beach tentatively has agreed to pay $5.5 million of the $25 million cost of the anti-flooding project because it would keep nearby city streets dry, too.

The seawall would be built along Indian Creek Drive from 26 Street to 41 Street and the pump station at 32 Street. In addition, a new 72-inch drainage pipe would link to an existing drainage system on 41 Street, and Indian Creek Drive would be raised by an undetermined amount.

In a prepared statement, Eric Carpenter, assistant city manager and public works director, told the Miami Herald that “Miami Beach is taking the lead in fast-tracking this project. We anticipate starting construction as early as this summer to enable enough of the system to help during the high tides this fall.” [Miami Herald] — Mike Seemuth