The new line of the elevated train, from Earlington Heights Station to a new public transportation center under construction just east of the airport, will be in operation in the spring. It will be formally called AirportLink and is the first significant Metrorail extension since the system was inaugurated in 1984.

“AirportLink will provide a fast, reliable Metrorail link to MIA for millions of residents, visitors and employees who travel to and from MIA every year,” a Miami-Dade Transit press release said. “With this project, Miami-Dade joins the ranks of the great urban zones in the world with fast public transportation systems connecting to their airports.”