MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Concrete barriers are now up along Lincoln Road to protect pedestrians.
Miami Beach officials made the decision to put up the barriers along each end of Lincoln Road just days after a van drove through a crowd of people in Barcelona.
The barriers went up Thursday night.
"We realized we probably needed to start doing stuff a little more quickly, maybe short-term, while we implement long-term solutions," city manager Jimmy Morales said.
For now, only the eastern and westernmost ends of Lincoln Road are blocked off.
City staff said that's because it's where a vehicle could really pick up speed.
Side street entrances are still unprotected, but will also be barricaded within the next two to three years.
"At the end of the day, they're going to do what they want to do. They already have a plan. If it's already in motion, there's nothing we can do to stop it," Miranda Planells, who works on Lincoln Road, said.
A man who was visiting Miami Beach Monday from Spain said he believes any proactive measures can help.
"It's a good idea, but with another design -- maybe with something like flowers. It's strong, but this is very hard to see," Caesar said.
City officials agree with Caesar's idea for a more aesthetically pleasing look and said the barriers are a temporary solution.
Officials said a master plan is in the works.