When will that nightmare road project end? Your guide to construction on Miami highways
Everyone who lives in South Florida has crazy traffic stories.
Like the time three men were seen chasing a large iguana on Interstate 95 in Boca Raton, or the broken lobster traps littering the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys after a truck driver lost control, or when thousands of shoes landed on the Palmetto Expressway.
Sam Johnson’s latest “Oh, Miami” moment was in the southbound lanes of I-95 near Brickell while heading home from Haulover Park with his wife one weekend afternoon.
A driver who was a “few hundred yards” in front of them suddenly put their car in reverse and began backing up, Johnson said.
Johnson remembers switching lanes to avoid the driver. When he looked through the rearview mirror, he saw the driver reverse about 50 yards before taking an exit.
“Just one of many instances of horrible driving we’ve witnessed over the years here in Miami. We were like ‘Oh my gosh not again,’ ” Johnson said.
Bad drivers aren’t the only traffic headache. With so many people living in Miami-Dade and Broward, our roads get congested fast, especially now that school is back in session. It won’t be long before snowbirds and tourists flock to South Florida for some winter R&R, too.
Construction usually makes the slowdown worse.
Danny Moreno, 22, feels it all the time. He’s a driver for Coimbra, delivering Kinder and Nutella products to supermarkets in Miami.
“Before I worked there, I worked at a restaurant in Brickell and traffic was really bad,” Moreno said.
But in the four months that Moreno has been a delivery driver, his routes on the turnpike and State Road 836 take longer — especially with construction. His shift starts at 8 in the morning, and sometimes lasts until 8 at night when construction clogs up traffic.
“Right now with construction, it’s really messy,” Moreno said. “It usually takes 20 minutes to get from Doral to Brickell. It takes 10 minutes more with construction and 25 minutes more during peak hour.”
Construction doesn’t last forever (even if it feels like it) and usually leads to more lanes or ramps meant to improve the traffic flow. But the pain of driving through construction zones is real.
We’ve put together a list of projects that are underway on South Florida highways to help you plan your route.
Read about:
Interstate 395
A massive redesign and expansion of Miami’s Interstate 395, State Road 836 and Interstate 95 is underway. The project, which features a signature bridge with six grand arches, is expected to redefine the Miami skyline.
The I-395 portion of the project stretches 1.4 miles from the Midtown Interchange to the MacArthur Causeway. Last year, an average of between 116,000 to 146,000 cars passed through that stretch of highway every day, according to data from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Here’s what to know about the I-395 portion of the project:
Cost: The I-395 portion of the project costs $587 million. The entire project is expected to cost $840 million.
The work:
▪ Create a signature bridge that rises 1,025 feet over Northeast Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard
▪ Add three through lanes in each direction for additional capacity and new connector ramps for traffic to and from I-95
▪ Existing eastbound off ramps at Northeast Second Avenue will be moved west of North Miami Avenue.
▪ Westbound on ramps at Northeast First Avenue will be shifted west of North Miami Avenue.
▪ Northwest Second Avenue will also be reconnected under I-395.
Detours: Can vary from week to week. Visit the project’s website for the most up-to-date closures.
Completion date: Summer 2026
Interstate 95
The Florida Department of Transportation is expanding Interstate 95’s express lanes in Broward County from Hollywood Boulevard to Commercial Boulevard.
Last year, an average of between 237,000 to 303,000 cars passed through that stretch of highway every day, according to data from the Florida Department of Transportation.
That project has a price tag of $610 million.
While the first phase of the project is expected to be completed by next spring, the second phase is expected to be finished in 2025.
In addition to expanding express lanes, the project will also put up noise barrier walls along the highway and update tolls.
Here’s what to know about the projects:
I-95 Express lane expansion from Broward Boulevard to Commercial Boulevard
Cost: $153 million
Completion: Spring 2023
The work:
▪ Extending the existing express lanes north from just south of Broward Boulevard to just north of Commercial Boulevard
▪ One lane will be added and the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane will be converted to create two express lanes in each direction.
▪ Installing tolling equipment and noise barrier walls
▪ Widening bridges
95 express lane expansion from Hollywood Boulevard to Broward Boulevard
Cost: $457 million
Completion: Spring 2025
The work:
▪ Adding one additional express lane in each direction, between south of Stirling Road and Broward Boulevard
▪ Adding an express lane entrance and exit for Sheridan Street in both directions
▪ Construction on entrance and exit ramps for Sheridan Street
▪ Right turn lane improvements at the exit ramp for Griffin Road
▪ Ramp connections to Florida’s Turnpike and Alligator Alley
Palmetto Expressway
Changes are coming to a stretch of the Palmetto Expressway from Doral to Miami Lakes as part of a $66 million project that seeks to reduce congestion, particularly in the Hialeah and Miami Lakes area, by adding more southbound lanes, according to Project Manager Enmanuel “Manny” Espinal.
As part of this project, which extends from south of Northwest 36th Street to north of Northwest 154th Street/Miami Lakes Drive, lane closings, including full southbound shutdowns, will be required, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Last year, an average of between 149,000 to 231,000 cars passed through this stretch of highway every day, according to data from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Since July, crews have also been working to remove damaged concrete, and to repair and replace the barrier wall on the Palmetto northbound at Northwest 114th Street/West 60th Street in Hialeah.
Here’s what to know about the projects:
SR 826/Palmetto Exwy Capacity Project
Cost: $66 million
Completion: Summer 2024
The work:
▪ Widening the State Road 826 bridge over Northwest 103rd Street/West 49th Street to add a non-tolled general-purpose lane
▪ Crews will widen the southbound bridges over Northwest 74th Street, Metrorail and the Florida East Coast Railway and the northbound bridge over Northwest 103rd Street/West 49th Street
▪ Relocating the express lane entrance at Northwest 154th Street to Northwest 103rd Street/West 49th Street. This will let people enter the express lanes from Northwest 154th Street to Northwest 122nd Street/West 68th Street
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▪ Modifications will be made to a Palmetto flyover ramp from westbound Northwest 103rd Street/West 49th Street to southbound State Road 826.
▪ Crews will extend the auxiliary lane between Okeechobee Road and Northwest 74th Street.
▪ Resurface local roads U.S. 27/Okeechobee Road to Northwest 103rd Street/West 49th Street and from Northwest 103rd Street/West 49th Street to Northwest 122nd Street/West 68th Street
Closures: Lane closures, when needed, will mostly be overnight although shutdowns can stretch into the morning rush hour. Single-lane closings, for example, could run between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. or from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. Two or more lane closings could be 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. Fridays-Sundays.
Weekly lane closure information will be posted online as needed on the Florida Department of Transportation’s website. People can also sign up to receive construction updates. You can also follow FDOT on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Palmetto Expressway Bridge Repair Project
Cost: $204,787
Completion: September 2022
The work: Removing damaged concrete, repairing and replacing the barrier wall and removing the temporary barrier wall and crash cushions on Palmetto northbound at Northwest 114th Street/West 60th Street in Hialeah.
Closures: “Construction will be done in stages with temporary lane closures and detours scheduled to avoid special community events and peak periods of traffic. Temporary sidewalk closures and detours along the frontage roads will be in place when necessary. Access to and from adjacent neighborhoods and businesses will be maintained during construction,” reads the Palmetto website.
Times when lane closures are possible include 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday-Saturday. Closure information will be posted online.
Another project underway on the Palmetto involves replacing traffic cameras and the digital highway signs that provide information on delays and closures as well as safety reminders, such as the dangers of drunk driving and texting while driving. State Road 826 is just one of the many roadways across Miami-Dade that will have its systems upgraded as part of the $7 million project, which is expected to be completed in summer 2023.
Dolphin Expressway
Crews are continuing to work on a stretch of the Dolphin Expressway, also known as State Road 836, as part of the $840 million years-long I-395/SR 836/I-95 Design-Build Project.
The project runs from State Road 836 at Northwest 17th Avenue and continues through the SR 836/I-395/I-95 Interchange to the MacArthur Causeway. The project is estimated to be completed in summer 2026, according to a project update.
Here’s what to know about the State Road 836 enhancements:
The work: As part of the project, State Road 836 will get a double-decker that will give drivers a direct connection to the MacArthur Causeway, which connects to the PortMiami Tunnel and terminates in South Beach. Officials expect this will alleviate traffic congestion on the expressway.
The double-decker will begin “just east of the toll gantry at Northwest 17th Avenue, rising over the center of State Road 836, and touching down at I-395, east of the I-95 interchange,” according to a project update.
Closures: Lane closings vary. For the most up-to-date info, visit i395-miami.com/construction-updates/.
Florida’s Turnpike
The state is widening two sections of Florida’s Turnpike in Miami-Dade, stretching from the Dolphin Expressway to Interstate 75.
Last year, an average of 82,000 to 97,000 cars used that stretch of the highway every day, according to data from the Florida Department of Transportation.
The highway completed the widening of two other sections this year and last year.
All four widening projects will end up costing an estimated $894.4 million.
The work spanning from the Dolphin Expressway to 106th Street will last until 2024. The work from 106th Street to Interstate 75 will last until 2025.
The only road shutdowns anticipated for both projects aren’t expected until November and March.
Turnpike Widening, NW 106th Street to I-75
Cost: $370 million
Completion: 2025
The work:
▪ Widening the Turnpike Extension bridges over Northwest 114th Street/Northwest 121st Way, Northwest 138th Street and Okeechobee Road
▪ Constructing a new eastbound Okeechobee Road to southbound Turnpike Extension entrance ramp and a new Turnpike Extension exit ramp heading north to eastbound Okeechobee Road
▪ Constructing an additional lane in each direction on Okeechobee Road between the turnpike and Northwest 107th Avenue
▪ Constructing a new diverging diamond interchange at the Turnpike Extension and Northwest 170th Street
▪ Resurfacing, building guardrail and fencing, and adding striping lanes, stormwater drainage, signs and improved lighting
Turnpike Widening, Dolphin Expressway to NW 106th Street
Cost: $245 million
Completion: 2024
The work:
▪ Widening the Turnpike Extension bridges over Northwest 12th Street, 25th Street, 41st Street, 58th Street and the 74th Street Canal
▪ Converting Northwest 117th Avenue, between 34th Street and 41st streets, into a northbound Turnpike Extension entrance ramp and a “slip ramp” — a ramp that lets drivers slip in and out — so local traffic can continue onto 117th Avenue, north of 41st Street
▪ Interchange improvements at State Road 836 and Northwest 12th Street, including the construction of three new ramps
▪ Construction of sound walls along qualifying residential areas adjacent to the Turnpike Extension
▪ Asphalt milling and resurfacing, guardrail and fencing, lane striping, drainage, signs, lighting improvements
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Interstate 75
Most of the work on Interstate 75 is resurfacing in Broward along with a few other smaller projects, with the total construction cost clocking in at just over $25 million.
As part of the resurfacing projects, drivers can expect lane closings at night lasting until early the following morning.
Most of these projects began in 2021, and are coming to an end soon. Here’s what to know:
I-75 from Sheridan Street to South of I-595 Resurfacing Project
Cost: $7,949,000
Completion: September 2022
The work:
▪ Milling and resurfacing along I-75 between Sheridan Street and south of Interstate 595, a total of 5.7 miles
▪ Installing guardrail and double-face guardrail throughout the project limits
▪ Installing signs and flashing beacons to alert wrong way drivers at the I-75 southbound exit ramp to Griffin Road.
Closures: The project is in its final stages, so drivers won’t need to worry about lane closures at this point. However, be on the lookout for workers on the shoulder putting the final touches on the projects.
I-75 from South of I-595 to West of U.S. 27 Resurfacing Project
Cost: $8 million
Completion: Early 2023
The work:
▪ Milling and resurfacing along I-75 between south of I-595 and west of U.S. 27, about eight miles
▪ Installing guardrail and double-face guardrail throughout the project limits
Closures: Drivers can expect double-lane closures Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day. Exit and entrance ramps will also be closed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the same days.
Wrong-Way Driving Safety Improvement Project
Cost: $745,355
Completion: Fall 2022
The work:
▪ Installing signs, flashing beacons, and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) devices to alert wrong-way drivers on the exit ramps to Sheridan Street in Broward County and I-95 southbound exit ramps to Blue Heron Boulevard in Palm Beach County
Closures: Ramps will be closed on weekends between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. one ramp at a time, with shoulder closures for equipment
I-75 Alligator Alley Environmental Educational Center Project
Cost: $8,845,801
Completion: Fall 2023
The work:
▪ Reconfiguring existing parking lots, access roads, drainage structures, utilities, lighting and sidewalks
▪ Constructing educational amenities, including an observation tower, boardwalks, walkways, wetland exhibits, asphalt trails, pavilions, benches, and landscaping
Closures: Access to the rest area will be maintained throughout construction, so commuters won’t have to worry about detours.
