Two decades in the making, Metrorail was the largest public works project in Florida history. Planning for Metrorail began in 1958. Construction began in June 1979. In 1981, county officials revealed that inflation and construction and land costs had caused the system’s budget to grow from $867 million to $987 million. There was also allegations of shoddy construction and several opening delays due to shortage of rail cars.  When it opened at 6 a.m. May 20, 1984, Metrorail’s elevated trains ran only 11 miles, stopping at 10 stations from Overtown to Dadeland South. At the time, county officials promised a 52- or 54-mile system that would go to Miami International Airport, Miami Beach and other destinations, and carry more than 200,000 riders a day.After three decades of operation, the system grew to just 25 miles, added only one line — to MIA — and has yet to carry 200,000 riders daily.

3/31/1967, Don Gammon/Miami Herald: Metrorail construction planning.

6/8/1979, John Pineda/Miami Herald: Metrorail groundbreaking.

3/26/1979, Bob East/Miami Herald: Mrs. Katherine Hinson was quite upset at meeting of rapid transit authorities and citizens at Santa Clara school.

3/7/1978, George Kochaniec/Miami Herald: Ken and Marva Gay Kaltenbach at Dupont Plaza rally.

3/30/1979, Bob East/Miami Herald: Coconut Grove station looking south - SW 27 Ave and S. Dixie Highway running from top left.

11/13/1980: Metrorail construction.

11/9/1983, Battle Vaughan/Miami Herald: Metrorail overpass over river looking from Government Center station.

12/28/1983, Murry Sill/Miami Herald: Workmen removing a casting from from a Metrorail platform as work continued on Miami's rapid transpit system.

Undated, Rick McCawley/Miami Herald: 104 NW 10th St. Residents name Alton Walthour has lived here about six years and says the Metrorail will be in his back yard.

7/19/1989, Albert Coya/Miami Herald: Harris Vereen from the Metrorail station operations department.

12/5/1984, Chuck Fadely/Miami Herald: Kid's dresses as elves at the Metrorail.

8/4/1983, Donna Shields/Miami Herald: Metrorail cars are bright and airy as Courtney DeVane, 2 , and her mother Irene found out on a ride Saturday.

6/18/1983, Murry Sill/Miami Herald: Metrorail passengers.

5/22/1984: Metrorail passenger, Jennifer Zukowski.

5/20/1984, Mary Lou Foy/Miami Herald: Metrorail opens "Oh look it's the Courthouse"...that's what everyone said as they saw it. No Ids on the front folks, but in the wheelchair is Bill Davis, with his wife Dolores Davis and son Dale Davis, 12, of Kendall. They thought the train was wonderful--and so easy for the handicapped.

5/20/1984: Metrorail passenger.

6/18/1984, Murry Sill/Miami Herald: "Fantastic!" was the way Bertha Berkman of the Sunrise Club described the Metro-Rail side sat morning.

5/20/1984, Pete Cross/Miami Herald: Crowed Metrorail at Dadeland South.

5/20/1984, Al Diaz/Miami Herald: Commuters had a long wait at the Overtown Metro Station and others after trains stalled.The large turn out of first time riders contributed to the problem.

5/21/1984, Tim Chapman/Miami Herald: Metrorail passengers.

5/21/1984: Metrorail passenger.

Undated: Metrorail passenger, Joel Elsenson.

7/19/1989, Albert Coya/Miami Herald: Metrorail passenger.

Undated, Pete Cross/Miami Herald: Large crowd waits for the Metrorail at Dadeland South station.

Undated: Metrorail passengers.

6/23/1983, Rick McCawley/Miami Herald; Sunrise Club rides the Metrorail. Passengers R-L Grace Sonkin, Robert Steinfeld and George Ludins.

Undated: Metrorail passengers.

5/21/1984, Tim Chapman/Miami Herald: Metrorail passenger Philip Dodd.

Undated: Metrorail passengers.

7/19/1989, Albert Coya/Miami Herald: Angela Cannon and Rubi Bessy with their children.

7/14/1983, Bob East/Miam Herald: Janet Weill of Naples thought it a good idea to take a ride on the new Metrorali which offered them during dedication of the Douglas Station and was probably the first wheelchair passenger to ride - she thought it was wonderful.

7/14/1983, Bob East/Miami Herald: Maybe the youngest rider on Metrorail today during dedication of the Douglas station was Sean Bedell 7 1/2 months with his parents Michael and Debra of Coral Gables.

12/10/1984, Andrew Innerarity/Miami Herald: Riders desembarking the Metrorail's Civic Center station en route to the Dolphins game.

5/21/1984, Tim Chapman/Miami Herald Staff: Metrorail passengers Bob and Carolyn Zukowski.

11/3/1983, Ben Barber/Miami Heral: Richmond Heights Jr. High kids having fun on their ride in Metrorail.

5/8/1984, Bill Frakes/Miami Herald: Metrorail passengers.