MIAMI — Florida transportation officials said a safety stand-down remains in effect for certain construction operations on the Interstate 395 bridge project after six workers were critically injured during a concrete pour earlier this month.

Leer en español

In an email sent to Local 10 News on Tuesday, the Florida Department of Transportation said the Jan. 17 incident occurred during formwork operations, when concrete was being poured into a temporary mold used to form a bridge component known as a “pier cap.”

FDOT emphasized that the incident did not involve the signature bridge arches themselves and happened within a controlled work zone, away from ongoing traffic.

“At the time of the incident, the Department immediately issued a safety stand down, and that continues in effect for all formwork operations,” said FDOT spokesperson Maria Rosa Higgins Fallon. “These operations will remain paused while the contractor implements a corrective action plan to help prevent future incidents of this nature.”

Higgins Fallon did not provide details about the injuries sustained by the six workers, how many remain hospitalized or their current conditions, despite specific questions about whether workers suffered from broken bones, burns or other trauma.

FDOT also did not address whether any workers were trapped during the collapse, as described in emergency dispatcher calls and by fire rescue officials.

Miami Fire Rescue officials previously said crews were called to the I-395 work zone shortly after 10 p.m. on Jan. 17 following reports of a construction accident.

Authorities said all six workers fell or toppled roughly 30 feet during a concrete pour and were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center with serious injuries.

Fire officials said some workers were briefly pinned or trapped among metal bars and wooden materials before being extricated using specialized rescue equipment and a crane already on site.

FDOT confirmed it is working with project leadership to review safety procedures but did not directly answer whether the U.S. Department of Labor or Occupational Safety and Health Administration has formally opened an investigation into the incident.

Local 10’s request to the Department of Labor seeking confirmation of a federal investigation was pending as of Tuesday.

The project is being built by the Archer Western–de Moya Joint Venture, the same contractor involved in a 2021 fatal construction incident in Clearwater that resulted in OSHA safety violations, according to federal records. Local 10 News has requested comment from the company but has not received a response.

The I-395 project, which includes a six-arch “signature bridge” and major interstate reconstruction near downtown Miami, is years behind schedule and has faced complex construction challenges due to the unique design of its precast concrete components.

FDOT said maintaining safety remains its top priority as reviews continue. The investigation into the Jan. 17 incident remains ongoing.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.

The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office has identified hundreds of applications for disabled parking permits that are now under investigation to determine whether they were obtained fraudulently, the office announced Monday in a statement.

This effort is part of a massive audit of all permanent and temporary permits issued over the past 12 months, which began in December 2025. Authorities had previously announced that the audit would apply to permits issued over the past 24 months.

According to officials, the initial review covered a total of 2,340 applications. Of these, 682 require “an immediate and thorough investigation, with possible revocation.” 

“Every application receives two full and independent reviews.”

“The second review is now underway. Any application suspected of fraud will be referred to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.”

Additionally, Fernández noted that “as part of this process, letters are currently being sent to individuals whose disabled parking permits were improperly issued or obtained fraudulently. These letters clearly state that the permits have been canceled and must be returned immediately.

Under Florida law, providing false information to obtain one of these permits is a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties include fines of $1,000 and up to one year in jail, and offenders may also be disqualified from obtaining a permit for four years. Even using another person’s permit can result in a $500 fine.

“Disabled parking permits are a lifeline. Every fraudulent permit represents a space stolen from a senior citizen, a veteran, or a resident with serious mobility challenges,” Fernández’s statement continued. “We will continue enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to protect those who depend on this program.”

In Miami-Dade, permits require medical certification, Florida identification, and proof of insurance. Permanent permits are free and valid for four years, while temporary permits cost $15 and are valid for up to six months.