Next phase for the Underline set to open

The second phase of the Underline, an urban trail and linear park that runs under the elevated Metrorail track, is set to open Wednesday.

Why it matters: The $16.5 million project, dubbed Vizcaya Station, is the latest of county efforts to improve safety for people walking or riding bikes, boost native vegetation and encourage community.

• The 2.14-mile segment connects downtown Brickell at SW 13th Street to north Coconut Grove at SW 19th Avenue.

Catch up quick: The project's first phase, Brickell Backyard, opened in 2021 and runs along the Miami River to SW 13th Street.

• The half-mile segment includes biking and walking paths, an outdoor gym and gathering spaces.

The trail will feature three amenity areas, according to the Miami Herald :

• The Hammock Playground, with nature-inspired equipment.
• Vizcaya Station Plaza, a shaded seated area designed to host community events.
• The Rain Garden, which includes the first of a series of planned bioswales to collect and filter rainwater.

Yes, but: Vizcaya Station could face issues that have emerged since Brickell Backyard debuted, like people walking on the bike paths, obstructing cyclists and ignoring signs, the outlet reported.

• Meg Daly, founder and president of Friends of the Underline, the nonprofit that oversees the trail, acknowledged to the Herald the need for more education, but said "there will be a lot of compliance."

What's next: The final phase — a 7-mile stretch — is set to open in late 2025 or early 2026, the newspaper reported.

• It will run through Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami, and conclude at the Dadeland South station.

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