For the first time in years, traffic is once again flowing down the full length of Ocean Drive as the sun rises over South Beach.

Miami Beach closed Ocean Drive to cars entirely during the pandemic in May 2020. The city moved to the current configuration in January 2022, with initial approval from the county for one-way southbound car traffic with a two-way bike lane and the pedestrian promenade at the north end of the street.

A judge initially ordered the city to comply by January 15, but a stay was granted, giving the city an extension.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner will not be forced to reopen Ocean Drive to vehicular traffic this weekend after an appeal court judge put a county judge’s order on a temporary hold Friday.

Miami Beach will remove the pedestrian plaza and bike lanes from Ocean Drive, returning two-way car traffic to the South Beach street for the first time in nearly five years. Why it matters: A judge ordered that the iconic tourist strip,

Ocean Drive will reopen to two-way traffic after the Clevelander sued the city of Miami Beach, alleging the barriers in place harmed its business.