A judge is ordering Miami Beach officials to restore two-way vehicle traffic to Ocean Drive, meaning the removal of a pedestrian plaza at the northern end of the street and possibly the elimination of a bicycle lane.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez made the ruling after a hearing Wednesday afternoon, mandating the end of a configuration that has been in place for three years along the iconic South Beach strip: one lane of southbound traffic from Fifth to 13th streets, a pedestrian plaza closed to cars from 13th Street to 14th Place, and a two-way bike lane along the entire east side of the road.
The decision stems from a lawsuit by the owners of hotel and nightlife hotspot Clevelander, who argued that the current setup creates a safety hazard and has harmed the business…