Miami-Dade Advances Long-Stalled Ludlam Trail With $9.5M Design Contract

• Miami-Dade County has approved a $9.5 million design contract for the long-awaited 5.6-mile Ludlam Trail, marking a major step forward after years of delays.
• Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says the county is now focused on delivering the project rather than debating whether it will move forward.
• The multi-use trail will create a continuous corridor for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians across western Miami-Dade once construction begins.

What the County Approved

After nearly two decades of planning, the Ludlam Trail project has gained new momentum with Miami-Dade commissioners unanimously approving a $9.5 million contract to complete the trail's design. The approval comes after renewed pressure from community advocates and former elected officials seeking clarity on the project's future.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava called the vote a significant milestone, saying the conversation has shifted from whether the project will happen to how the county will deliver it. While design work is now moving forward, officials have not yet announced a construction schedule, total project cost, or full funding plan.

What the Ludlam Trail Will Include

The planned 5.6-mile linear park and trail will transform the former Florida East Coast Railway corridor into a dedicated route for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians through western Miami-Dade County. The project has long been envisioned as both a transportation alternative and a recreational amenity connecting multiple neighborhoods.

Once completed, the trail is expected to improve mobility, encourage outdoor recreation, and provide safer connections between residential communities, schools, parks, and transit corridors.

What the Project Means for Surrounding Neighborhoods

Linear parks and trails have increasingly become catalysts for redevelopment by improving connectivity and enhancing nearby property values. Similar projects across the country have attracted new residential and mixed-use investment while encouraging walkable development around adjacent commercial corridors.

For Miami-Dade, advancing the Ludlam Trail could create new opportunities for neighborhood revitalization while expanding the county's growing network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The project has remained one of South Florida's most anticipated public infrastructure initiatives because of its potential to reshape communities along the corridor.

What Comes Next

With the design contract now approved, the county can begin advancing engineering and planning work before construction begins. The next major milestones will include completing the design process, securing construction funding, and establishing a timeline for building the trail.

Although significant work remains before the trail opens, the county's latest action represents the strongest sign in years that the long-delayed Ludlam Trail is finally moving toward reality.