How Alligator Alley was Carved Across the Florida Everglades
The idea of building a highway through the Everglades initially faced opposition. Officially, it is a part of Interstate 75, spanning 1,800 miles from the Miami area to the Canadian border.
However, for those who have traveled the 80-mile stretch across the Everglades on Alligator Alley, it is a unique experience. Motorists can view the Everglades stretching out to the horizon on either side, untouched by towns, buildings, or billboards.
Along the way, they may see thick clouds of mosquitoes or lovebugs, black crows perched on fences, or white egrets and blue herons soaring over algae-covered pools. They may also catch a glimpse of the road's signature alligators basking in the sun or submerged in waterways.
This story was first published in August 2019 in Eliot Kleinberg’s Florida Time column.
Author's summary: Alligator Alley offers a unique 80-mile trip across the Everglades.