2014-2020- HTL organized a campaign to oppose the destructive highway, fundraising for court costs and assembling a pro bono legal team. In 2018, the team filed an administrative challenge arguing the project was inconsistent with elements of Miami-Dade County’s Comprehensive Development Master Plan and state planning law.
The challenge was successful, with Judge Susan Van Wyk siding with the legal team in March 2020.
2021- Governor DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted 3-1 to disregard Judge Van Wyk’s order and approve changes to the Miami-Dade Comprehensive Plan allowing the highway project to proceed. This allowed GMX to proceed with acquiring parcels in the planned route, endangering areas inlcuded in Everglades restoration plans.
2024- After the legal team appealed, a Florida Appeals Court upheld the Cabinet’s ruling, clearing the way for continued property acquisition and highway planning.
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