Construction will close I-95 lanes this weekend

The “Connecting Miami” road construction project will have some Interstate 95 drivers connecting Point A to Point B differently each night near State Road 836.

All lanes of southbound I-95 will close at State Road 836 at 9:30 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. They won’t reopen until 5:30 the following mornings. The ramp from I-95 to I-395 and Miami Beach also will be closed.

That means those heading for the South Beach part of Miami Beach should take I-195 and the Julia Tuttle Causeway to southbound Alton Road.

For everyone else, these closures mean detours. If you don’t mind getting nicked twice on tolls, the detours are easy. To get back on I-95 south or to get onto I-395 to the MacArthur Causeway:

Take State Road 836 West to the Northwest 12th Avenue exit (toll) and line up in the left turn lane on the right side.

As you turn left onto Northwest 12th Avenue, swing into the outside right lane for the entrance to State Road 836 East (toll).

Once you get onto State Road 836 East, go straight for I-395 and the MacArthur or slide into the right lane to get back on I-95 south.

If you’re toll averse or want to take city streets in Overtown and northern Little Havana, this detour is a little more difficult. By the official instructions:

Get in the far right lane on Interstate 95, take the State Road 836 West exit then immediately get off at Northwest 14th Street.

Take Northwest 14th Street to 12th Avenue and turn left.

Take Northwest 12th Avenue to 11th Street (there’s a WinnDixie on the corner) and take a left.

Take Northwest 11th Street to Northwest Eighth Street Road and turn right.

Take Northwest Eighth Street Road to Seventh Avenue and turn left onto Eighth Street.

To get back on I-95 south, turn right at Northwest Third Court and get on I-95 south after Northwest Second Street.

To get onto I-395 to Miami Beach, stay on Northwest Eighth Street all the way to Biscayne Boulevard. Turn left, get in the far right lane and get onto I-395.

Possible shortcut for the no-toll folks: After getting off at Northwest 14th Street, immediately cut across and turn left at that first light, Northwest 10th Avenue. Stay on that because it turns into Northwest Eighth Street Road. Stay on that until Northwest Seventh Avenue and follow the above instructions.