City Will Consider $5 Million for Ludlam Trail
The Miami City Commission votes October 8, 2026, on funding to advance the 5.6-mile greenway project.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Hiking
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Miami residents may soon see progress on the long-awaited Ludlam Trail as the City Commission considers a $5 million investment on October 8, 2026. This potential funding would support construction efforts within city limits, aligning with the county-led design phase.
Why it matters
The allocation is necessary to keep the city's trail segments moving forward in lockstep with the broader 5.6-mile corridor project. Residents are waiting to see if this move will finally trigger construction after the project missed out on funding in the fiscal 2026-27 budget.
The proposed $5 million city allocation supports a 5.6-mile trail corridor, which currently features a $9.53 million county professional services contract for design. It remains unclear how much additional funding will be required to complete the 6 bridges and 11 at-grade crossings.
The players
Miami City Commission
The local legislative body currently considering the $5 million funding resolution for trail construction.
Miami-Dade County
The regional government entity that acquired the railroad corridor and is overseeing the broader project design.
Kimley-Horn and Associates
The professional firm contracted by the county to manage the design phase of the corridor.
The details
If the resolution passes, the city manager will be tasked with identifying available budget adjustments to secure the $5 million. The project involves complex site preparation, including managing contaminated soil through a combination of topsoil removal, clean fill, and a geosynthetic barrier. The overall county-managed design phase is expected to take approximately one year to complete.
Timeline
2000s: Early efforts to preserve the railway corridor began.
2018: Miami-Dade County acquired the railroad corridor.
2023: The county completed the Project Development and Environment study.
Sept. 24, 2026: The city's fiscal 2026-27 budget was approved without trail funding.
Oct. 8, 2026: The City Commission will vote on the $5 million funding resolution.
Beyond the 305
This potential allocation follows the 2018 acquisition of the former railroad corridor by Miami-Dade County, which set the framework for the current 5.6-mile greenway. The city's vote represents a critical shift from regional planning to localized financial participation.
Residents living near the 5.6-mile corridor can expect to see progress toward the completion of the 18-foot-wide trail if the city approves the funds. The timing of construction remains subject to future budget approvals in subsequent phases.
The takeaway
The upcoming vote serves as a key indicator of the city's commitment to the Ludlam Trail's long-term construction schedule. Residents should monitor the City Commission's decision on October 8, 2026, to understand how local funding may accelerate the path toward project groundbreaking.
What happens next
The City Commission will hold its vote on the funding allocation on October 8, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local greenway and trail developments in the Hiking section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Miami Today.
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