The Kinney Tunnel, a customary route beneath the New River in Fort Lauderdale, is set to temporarily close, as advised by city officials, due to the complication of standing water within. According to an announcement made by the city around 12:30 p.m. today, reported by WSVN, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) was to urgently begin closure procedures in less than an hour following the alert.
The situation, to be addressed as fast as bureaucratically possible, will leave the tunnel inaccessible until FDOT can fully resolve the standing water issue. Motorists are being advised to anticipate delays and to seek alternate travel routes in the meantime. In a statement obtained by the City of Fort Lauderdale's X account, officials confirmed that "FDOT expects to close the Kinney Tunnel within the next hour and it will remain closed until they can fully resolve the issue."
FDOT expects to close the Kinney Tunnel within the next hour and it will remain closed until they can fully resolve the issue.
— City of Fort Lauderdale (@FTLCityNews) September 17, 2025
We will provide updates as they become available. @FLFR411 @ftlauderdalepd https://t.co/UkQiMGCY0o
Updates on the progress of the closure and the remediation efforts are to be provided as they become available, the city's X post added, also mentioning @FLFR411 and @ftlauderdalepd in their advisory post. These updates are crucial for commuters who regularly depend on this thoroughfare and will now need to adapt their travel plans accordingly.
While the cause of the standing water was not officially released, NBC Miami speculated that it could be related to the recent rainfall, which has been heavy at times and has carried with it the potential to flood some areas across South Florida.
