A new attraction along Alligator Alley is offering travelers a chance to experience Florida’s wild side. The Everglades Elevated Boardwalk, located right off I-75, is a $12 million project by the Florida Department of Transportation, designed to connect both wildlife and people.

“You look at on the horizon, and it gets greener, and it’s there’s no end, and then the sky just meets, meets the greenness, and it’s beautiful. It’s very soothing. I love it,” said Diane Manza, capturing the essence of the view.

For some visitors like Tilman Mihelcic, this is a unique experience.

“I’m from Slovenia, and we travel like, 16 hours to here,” said Mihelcic. “It’s very different. First time in my life I see something like that.”

Others, such as Jean Vargies, feel right at home.

“I enjoy nature a lot, especially in Florida, which a lot of natural habitats are getting destroyed, and this is just a small pocket of view for people to enjoy this learn from this,” said Vargies.

[placeholder for visual of the Everglades Elevated Boardwalk]

The boardwalk was born from a suggestion by a member of the public who found Alligator Alley to be monotonous.

“It all started with a letter from someone in the traveling public, and they said, hey, you know, Alligator Alley is kind of monotonous… Is there any way that we could educate the public on the Everglades,” said Ali Westbrook of FDOT Environmental Management.

The boardwalk includes ponds, paths, and a variety of native plants. Tyler Furrey, FDOT Senior Project Manager, highlighted its uniqueness.

“This is a very unique project for us. We’re used to building roads and bridges,” said Furrey.

Westbrook added, “It was really incredible to be, for first time, taking away pavement instead of adding pavement.”

Since its opening, the boardwalk has quickly become popular.

“I couldn’t believe that something like this would be right off the highway,” said Nathalie Williamson.

Vargies described it as a botanical garden, saying, “I told myself, this is a native plant Botanical Garden. That’s what it is.”

Manza expressed her delight, saying, “The first thing I loved was when you come and you hear all the birds singing, and it’s so beautiful.”

The Everglades Elevated Boardwalk offers a peaceful retreat for travelers along Alligator Alley, combining nature with education.