Crews broke through to street level on the $29.4 million Lincoln Road Phase 2 project Thursday, Aug. 20, beginning sidewalk reconstruction at two spots along Drexel Avenue that pedestrians, diners and shoppers will notice immediately.

First Above-Ground Work Follows Months of Utility Construction

The work marks the first above-ground construction in a project that has spent months on underground utilities. When finished, it will convert a stretch of Drexel Avenue from Lincoln Lane South to Lincoln Lane North into a car-free pedestrian corridor connecting Lincoln Road to the New World Center, Soundscape Park and the Miami Beach Convention Center.

City Details Two Active Construction Zones

The city issued a project update Wednesday, Aug. 19, detailing two new operations. As reported by the Miami Beach Journal, contractor Buslam Company Partners Inc. launched work at both sites:

Drexel Avenue and 16th Street: Sidewalk reconstruction on the north side of the road. Access to the 420 Garage entrance will be maintained throughout. The city expects this portion to take about two weeks.

Drexel Avenue and Lincoln Lane North: Crews began rebuilding the north sidewalk adjacent to the New World Symphony, preparing the area for crosswalk installation.

All construction runs weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pedestrian access stays open at both sites, and every restaurant and shop on Lincoln Road remains open for business.

Design Plan Adds Seating, Lighting and New Signals

The project, designed by James Corner Field Operations, includes new outdoor seating, upgraded lighting, improved drainage, landscaping and new traffic signals at Drexel and 16th Street. At a July 22 City Commission meeting, commissioners approved a $397,870 amendment to the design services agreement with Field Operations covering construction administration and a bollard safety assessment at Alton Road.

"Lincoln Road is experiencing one of the most exciting periods of growth and reinvestment in its recent history," Lyle Stern, president of the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District (BID), said in June when discussing a wave of new retail and dining concepts opening along the promenade. The district, which began a new 10-year term extending through 2035, reports more than 10.8 million visitors walk Lincoln Road each year.

Groundbreaking Held Nearly a Year Ago; Completion Set for 2026

The city and the BID held a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 5, 2025, at the southwest corner of Lincoln Road and Drexel Avenue. Phase 2 is expected to be substantially completed in 2026, according to a June report on Lincoln Road business activity.

Residents with questions can contact the city's public information liaison through the project page at miamibeachfl.gov.

Bids Already Open for Next Phase of Pedestrian Mall

Looking further ahead, the city is already soliciting bids for Phase 3 of Lincoln Road improvements, covering the pedestrian mall itself. Bids are due Tuesday, Sept. 8.