Salazar Breaks Ground for Tamiami Trail Bridge Construction to Restore Water in Everglades

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland joined officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District to break ground on a 1-mile bridge on the Tamiami Trail, a key component of on-going efforts to revive the Everglades. When complete, the $81 million project will help restore water flow into Everglades National Park and the South Florida Ecosystem.

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    Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland addresses the gathering for the groundbreaking. “Partnership has been and always will be the key to successful Everglades restoration,” Stickland said. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann- DOI)

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    “Today we have reached an historic milestone in the restoration of the Everglades and in our agenda to help protect America's great outdoors for future generations,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann- DOI)

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    Secretary Salazar joins officials from the state of Florida, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to turn the first shovel of dirt on the $81 million project. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann- DOI)

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    Everglades themed cupcakes were served for the occasion. Pictured left to right are the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Sam Hamilton, Miss Florida Rachel Todd, Secretary Salazar and U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann- DOI)

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    The 50th Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar looks out over what is known as the “River of Grass.” Construction of the new bridge to be complete in 2013 will help restore fresh water in the Everglades. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann- DOI)

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    Secretary Salazar with Park Rangers and employees of Everglades National Park. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann- DOI)

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    Secretary Salazar with Fish and Wildlife Service employees from the South Florida Ecological Services Office and others. From left to right are Dan Nehler, Don Jodrey (DOI), Paul Souza, Ronnie Best (USGS), Cindy Dohner (SE Region Director, USFWS), Sam Hamilton (Director, USFWS), Secretary Ken Salazar (DOI), Anne Philip, Janice Annis, Kevin Palmer, Ken Warren, Pam Repp, Todd Hopkins and Paul Tritaik (Refuge Manager, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge). (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann- DOI)

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