Relief has arrived for weary travelers at Miami International Airport as three out of four Concourse D Skytrain stations started operating again on Friday after the system was out of service for six months due to safety concerns. Local 10 News reports the much-needed resumption of service follows the repair of significant structural damage – the fixing of major cracks in three support columns that had prompted the precautionary shutdown.
The temporary closure since last September had left passengers stumbling through extended walks – in some cases up to a mile – to reach their gates. Despite the inconvenience, airport authorities provided trolleys and golf carts in an effort to help ferry passengers across the sprawl of one of the busiest airports in the United States, shared CBS News Miami.
While the near-complete reopening of service is welcomed by travelers, work is far from over; one Skytrain station is still offline as crews continue repairs. To bridge the gap, Miami International Airport will keep running the courtesy trolley service between the stations still impacted. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, "Taking the Skytrain out of service to repair, strengthen, and test the system prior to reopening were necessary steps to ensure your safety and security."
The reopening marks a milestone in a larger airport-wide renovation, featuring a $1.7 billion maintenance program that includes upgrades to all 616 elevators, escalators, and walkways, as well as significant bathroom overhauls. Additionally, the airport's 126 passenger boarding bridges are set to be fully replaced or refurbished by 2028, with 32 already completed, as informed by CBS News Miami. These renovations are part of a grander $7 billion modernization plan, promising to bring a new parking garage and hotel among other improvements.
Despite the challenges and the $4.2 million cost incurred for Skytrain repairs alone, officials are looking ahead to the full restoration of services anticipating the remaining system to be operational early this summer, which they believe will enhance the efficiency and convenience for travelers using Miami International Airport.
