MacArthur Causeway to be closed during October Trump-Biden debate in Miami

Michelle Marchante
·2 min read

Miami will be hosting the second presidential debate of the 2020 elections in October, and get ready South Florida, the traffic headache is coming.

The MacArthur Causeway, which connects downtown Miami to Miami Beach, will be fully closed to eastbound and westbound traffic, including bicyclists and pedestrians, from 8 a.m. Oct. 15 through 1 a.m. Oct. 16, according to the city of Miami Beach.

The 17-hour closure has to do with the U.S. Secret Service security plan for the presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden, Miami Beach said.

Planned as a “town meeting” in which local residents will be able to ask questions of the candidates, the debate will be held Oct. 15 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., in downtown Miami. It will be televised from 9 to 10:30 p.m. EDT without commercial breaks.

Alternate routes for traffic during Miami’s Trump-Biden debate

While traffic might not be the worst gridlock Miami has ever seen since some people might still be working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, drivers should still plan for extra driving time and heavy delays in the area all day.

Officials are recommending drivers use the Julia Tuttle Causeway (Interstate 195) or the 79 Street Causeway (State Road 934) to enter and exit Miami Beach. The Venetian Causeway will also be open, but heavy traffic is expected for the area.

The MacArthur Causeway (I-395), which connects downtown Miami to to Miami Beach, will be fully closed to eastbound and westbound traffic from 8 a.m. Oct. 15 through 1 a.m. Oct. 16 as part of the U.S. Secret Service security plan for the presidential debate in Miami.
The MacArthur Causeway (I-395), which connects downtown Miami to to Miami Beach, will be fully closed to eastbound and westbound traffic from 8 a.m. Oct. 15 through 1 a.m. Oct. 16 as part of the U.S. Secret Service security plan for the presidential debate in Miami.

Those who work or live in Palm, Star and Hibiscus Islands will be able to access those areas through a checkpoint set up by Miami Beach police in the 1200 block of Fifth Street, in the westbound lanes just west of the intersection at Fifth Street and Alton Road, according to Miami Beach.

To access the checkpoint, drivers must approach from the right southbound Alton Road lane and should make sure an entry pass can be easily seen on their dashboard.

Traffic closures for Miami’s presidential debate

What: MacArthur Causeway (I-395), fully closed to eastbound and westbound traffic

When: 8 a.m. Thursday, October 15 until Friday, October 16 at 1 a.m.