Walkers, cyclists and e-scooter riders in South Miami and Coral Gables now have a 1.2-mile off-road path that keeps them away from traffic on U.S. 1.

The new segment of The Underline, the linear park running beneath Miami-Dade's elevated Metrorail, opened Tuesday. It stretches from the Dadeland South Metrorail station south to Southwest 80th Street in South Miami, according to the Miami Herald.

The path is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with free admission. It accommodates pedestrians, bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters.

A dedicated route off a high-speed highway

U.S. 1 through this corridor carries high-speed traffic with limited separation for people on foot or on bikes. The new segment gives residents a dedicated, grade-separated route for commuting to Dadeland or moving between neighborhoods without competing for space on the highway.

One piece of a 10-mile, multi-city project

The Underline spans 120 acres across 10 miles, connecting Brickell to Dadeland South and passing through 14 neighborhoods and eight Metrorail stations. The project was designed by James Corner Field Operations and is managed by The Underline Conservancy with support from Friends of The Underline and Miami-Dade County.

Construction has been funded by Miami-Dade County, the state of Florida, the cities of Miami, Coral Gables and South Miami, and a federal U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant.

Phase 1, a half-mile stretch in Brickell, opened in 2021. Phase 2 added 2.25 miles and opened in 2024. The remaining Phase 3 segments are opening throughout 2026, with full completion expected by year's end, according to The Underline Conservancy.

Jake Moskowitz, chief revenue officer for Friends of The Underline, described the project's mission in an Inside Philanthropy interview as reconnecting communities that were separated when the Metrorail, interstate and U.S. 1 were built decades ago.

How to access the new segment

The segment is accessible from the Dadeland South Metrorail station and from Southwest 80th Street in South Miami. No registration or fee is required. The trail is open around the clock.

Residents who observe safety concerns along the trail can contact the South Miami Police Department at 305-663-6301 or the Coral Gables Police non-emergency line at 305-442-1600.