Construction To Begin I-95 Toll Lanes In Broward
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – The commute between Ft. Lauderdale to Miami can turn into a miserable one depending on the time of day.
"It's crazy, it's always backed up," said Steve Turco, "It starts at 2 or 3 o'clock in the afternoon. There's so much traffic there, it's crazy."
Relief is in sight however for those drivers willing to pay.
Construction of Phase Two of the 95 Express will get underway on November 28th.
The $106 million project will extend the existing toll express lanes from the Golden Glades Interchange to Broward Boulevard. During the construction, one express lane will be added in each direction along the 13 mile stretch; with entrances and exits at Broward Boulevard, Griffin Road and Ives Dairy Road. The Ives Dairy Road interchange will be modified and select bridges will be widened. Also, new noise walls will be erected at certain locations between Hollywood Boulevard and Taft Street.
Once completed, tolls on the new express lanes will vary depending on the level of congestion, in order to keep traffic in the express lanes moving at a minimum of 45 MPH
"It should be much better because the traffic will get much faster," said Adonis Sanchez.
Registered vanpools, carpools and hybrid vehicles, as well as buses and motorcycles will all be able to use the lanes for free.
The Florida Department of Transportation said the project will be completed in three years and workers will do what they can to minimize construction delays on the highway.
"During peak hours, the same number of lanes that are out there today will be open," said Tish Burgher with 95 Express. "There will be lane closures during non-peak hours."
The FDOT is hoping not to repeat a problem they had when they opened the express lanes in Miami-Dade and drivers weaved in and out of the traffic sticks used to divide the toll lanes from local traffic.
"They're (the sticks) going to actually be closer together so that cars can't go between those polls," said FDOT's Barbara Kelleher.
FDOT officials are currently conducting studies to see if toll express lanes would work on I-75 and the Palmetto Expressway as well.
For more details on the 95 Express Project go to www.95express.com.
