FLORIDA KEYS, FL – We know the Florida Keys have the best bridges in the country, but now is our chance to prove it. Monroe County’s Harbour Drive Bridge on Duck Key is on a national stage as part of the National Association of County Engineers’ “Bridge as a Fashion Model” contest, and the public is invited to cast their vote by April 14. Vote at https://diglobal.tech/bridge-as-a-fashion-model-competition-2026/.

The contest shows county bridge infrastructure from across the country, highlighting both engineering excellence and visual appeal. The Harbour Drive Bridge is a newly completed project that reflects the county’s commitment to resilient and traditional infrastructure.

Voters should note that submissions appear to be listed alphabetically by county, but Monroe County’s entry appears last in the gallery, making it easy to find

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County is hosting a free tire recycling event this Saturday, April 4, 8 a.m. to noon, allowing residents to safely dispose of up to six old passenger vehicle tires with no rims up to 20 inches in height.
Drop-Off Locations:
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• Key Largo Transfer Station, 11180 County Road, Key Largo
• Long Key Transfer Station, MM68, Overseas Highway
• Cudjoe Transfer Station, MM21.5, Blimp Road

Requirements:

• Proof of Monroe County residency is required
• First-come, first-served

The tires collected during these events will be recycled and repurposed for road repair, construction materials, and other uses.

In addition to tire recycling, residents can also pick up free compost, fertilizer, household paint, and other lightly used items while supplies last, perfect for a garden glow-up, as part of the county’s reuse initiative.

“This program helps keep the Florida Keys clean while giving residents useful materials to reuse in their homes and gardens,” said Monroe County Recycling Coordinator Melody Tuschel. “It’s a win-win for the community and the environment.”

Questions? Contact 305-509-0325.

CARD SOUND ROAD – Starting on Wednesday, April 1, bicycles are forbidden from the Monroe County line near Alabama Jack’s Restaurant to County Road 905 for the Tubby’s Creek and Mosquito Creek bridge projects. Bicycles passing through work zones disrupt the timing of temporary traffic signals, causing traffic congestion. “No Bicycles Allowed” signs are posted ahead of the construction zones.  

The contractor will continue work on the Tubby’s Creek and Mosquito Creek bridges to clear vegetation, continue shoulder work, and temporarily widen pavement on Card Sound Road. Temporary traffic signals are alternating bi-directional traffic on the one remaining lane. The bridges will remain one lane with alternating traffic throughout the project. Traffic signal timing will be adjusted in the morning and afternoon to accommodate traffic heading to and from the Ocean Reef community.

Updates will be provided throughout the project's construction phases. This project has a construction duration of 18 months. 

KEY WEST, FL – Monroe County Commissioner Jim Scholl has relocated his office from the Whitehead Street location to the Gato Building in Key West, 1100 Simonton Street, a move that will improve operational efficiency and reduce county expenses. Scholl and his executive assistant, Sue Burke, are now located in Room 1-213, just inside the Simonton Street entrance of the Gato Building. Phone numbers remain unchanged.

To continue cutting costs at the county level, the relocation allows Monroe County’s County Attorney's offices to transition to the county-owned Whitehead Street office space, which is closer to the courthouse. This eliminates the need for leased space and results in cost savings for taxpayers.

The move was completed with assistance from Facilities Management and Information Technology.

“We greatly appreciate the hard work that made this transition seamless,” said Scholl. “Sue and I look forward to serving the residents of Key West from our new location.”

KEY WEST, FL – Florida Keys Veterans are invited to attend a Veterans town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Harvey Government Center in Key West.

Representatives from the Miami VA Hospital will be on-site to provide important updates, share information about available services and benefits, and answer questions from Veterans, their families, and caregivers.

Veterans, their families, and interested community members are encouraged to attend. For more information on Monroe County Veterans Affairs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va.  

KEY LARGO, FL – Monroe County Parks and Beaches announces the completion of the Native Plant Pathway at the 14-acre Key Largo Community Park. The pathway winds through the park’s scenic landscape, guiding visitors along a mapped route featuring 24 native plant species. Interactive signage along the pathway provides educational information about each plant and its role in supporting local wildlife and the natural ecosystem.

The Native Plant Pathway project began in 2015 through the dedication of Florida Master Gardener Volunteers, in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Monroe County.

“This is a great example of what can be accomplished through community partnerships that we also hope to bring to other county parks,” said Parks and Beaches Director John Allen. “This project enhances the park experience and helps educate the public on the importance of native plants in our local ecosystem.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stroll along the pathway, enjoy the butterfly garden, and take advantage of the park’s many amenities, including a fitness course, playground, tennis and pickleball courts, soccer and baseball fields, volleyball and basketball courts, handball courts, disc golf course, a skate park, and Jacobs Aquatic Center. The park is open year-round from sunrise to 9:30 p.m.

To learn more about native plant species in Monroe County, visit http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/monroe/.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln and the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners have proclaimed March as American Red Cross Month, recognizing the humanitarian work of the organization and the volunteers who serve the Florida Keys.

For more than 145 years, the American Red Cross has provided relief, comfort, and hope to people facing emergencies and disasters. Red Cross volunteers and employees respond to disasters, support military members, Veterans, and their families, help collect life-saving blood donations, and teach skills such as first aid and CPR.

“In Monroe County, we are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who step forward when our neighbors need help most,” said Lincoln. “The American Red Cross plays an important role in our community, and we are proud to recognize its continued service and the many residents who support its mission.”

Community members interested in learning more about the American Red Cross or volunteering can visit www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida or call 305-644-1200.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County continues advancing a wide range of resilience projects designed to address flooding, sea level rise, and water quality improvements throughout the Florida Keys. Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag recently shared updates on the county’s ongoing initiatives, which include infrastructure improvements, shoreline protection, and canal restoration efforts across multiple communities. 

“Monroe County is working proactively to address flooding and sea level rise while protecting homes, infrastructure, and our natural environment,” said Haag. “These projects are helping the Florida Keys remain resilient for future generations.”

Some of the highlights include:

Several roadway adaptation projects are underway or in development to reduce flooding impacts and improve stormwater management in vulnerable neighborhoods. Projects include roadway elevation and modern engineered drainage systems designed to function even during high groundwater conditions common in the Keys. 

Additional resilience efforts include repairs to breakwaters damaged during Hurricane Irma, which help protect waterfront homes while improving canal water quality, and the incorporation of mangroves and other living shoreline features to stabilize shorelines and enhance marine habitat. 

Monroe County’s canal restoration program continues to remove organic muck buildup in canals, among other restoration techniques,  to improve oxygen levels, water quality, and marine life habitat while reducing stagnant “dead zones.” Upcoming canal update meetings on March 17 and 19 are available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar.  

The resilience office also works closely with Florida Keys municipalities to coordinate regional planning efforts, vulnerability assessments, and watershed management initiatives to strengthen the long-term resilience of communities throughout the island chain. 

Public outreach and community engagement remain key to these efforts as Monroe County continues working with residents and local partners to plan and implement solutions that protect the Florida Keys from the impacts of rising seas and increased flooding.

To view the most recent presentation or learn more about resilience efforts, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/resilience.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County will host three virtual public meetings to provide residents with an update on the county’s Canal Restoration Program and ongoing efforts to improve water quality in Florida Keys canals. Each meeting will have the same content.

Virtual Public Meeting Dates:
• Tuesday, March 17, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 19, noon
• Thursday, March 19, 5:30 p.m.

Zoom details for each event are available at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar.

The Florida Keys contain approximately 170 miles of canals created decades ago during dredge-and-fill development to create waterfront property. Monroe County has been working with state and federal partners for more than a decade to study, prioritize, and restore impaired canals.

During the meetings, staff will provide a history of canal development in the Florida Keys, explain why canal restoration is necessary, and share updates on the county’s Canal Restoration Work Plan and ongoing projects. Residents will also learn about best management practices that can help maintain water quality in canals and can ask questions.

For more information on Monroe County’s canal programs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/canals.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Michelle Lincoln, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, and Growth Management Director Emily Schemper recently proclaimed March 9–15 as Monroe County Flood Awareness Week. The week is recognized statewide by the Florida Floodplain Managers Association to encourage residents to learn about flood risks, flood insurance, and steps they can take to protect their homes and families.

Flooding can impact homes and buildings across the county. Understanding flood hazards and taking steps to prepare can significantly reduce damage and improve community resilience.

“Flood awareness is especially important in coastal communities like the Florida Keys,” said Lincoln. “Staff works year-round to maintain floodplain management standards, help residents understand their flood risk, and provide guidance on building and mitigation practices that improve safety and resilience.”

Throughout Flood Awareness Week, Monroe County encourages residents to take simple, important steps, such as checking FEMA flood maps to understand their property’s risk, reviewing whether they have flood insurance, creating disaster-preparedness plans, and learning ways to reduce potential damage to homes and property. Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, but planning and investing in mitigation measures can reduce impacts.

Residents can learn more about flood risks, preparedness resources, and flood insurance at monroecounty-fl.gov/flood, fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, and floridadisaster.org/planprepare.