This route runs through one of the most densely urbanized areas of south Florida, beginning in Virginia Gardens, a small community whose development was closely linked to the expansion of Miami International Airport and the reorganization of the territory around aviation and modern infrastructure.
The itinerary continues through Hialeah, one of the most populated cities in the state and a historic center of industrial, railroad, and manufacturing activity. Its urban layout, marked by former rail lines and industrial zones, reflects the rapid demographic and economic transformation of the Miami metropolitan area throughout the twentieth century.
As the route advances westward, the urban landscape gives way to broad roadways and commercial zones that replaced former wetlands. The route culminates at Sawgrass Mills Mall, a symbol of a development model based on large commercial complexes and the adaptation of the territory to motorized mobility and mass consumption.
The contrast between historic communities, industrial areas, and contemporary commercial spaces allows for a clear observation of the urban evolution of south Florida and its different stages of growth.
The complete route and its historical context are part of Discovering Florida – Volume 2.
