Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Express lane construction zooms ahead in 3 counties
Studies predict traffic volume on I-75 will double in 20 years
Get ready for a major expansion of express lanes in South Florida — including on roads that already charge tolls.
In the next five years, the Florida Department of Transportation plans to spend more than $1 billion adding express lanes to the already tolled Sawgrass Expressway and the turnpike. Work is expected to begin as early as July.
It joins construction already well underway to add up to two express lanes to Interstate 95 in the northern half of Broward, to I-75 in western Broward, and to the Palmetto Expressway in Miami-Dade County.
These projects are designed to relieve traffic congestion, provide travel options, accommodate future growth and enhance emergency evacuation routes, according to state transportation officials.
For example, studies predict traffic volume on I-75 and the Palmetto Expressway, between I-595 and the Dolphin Expressway, will double from the current 125,000 vehicles per day to 250,000 in 20 years and 300,000 daily drivers by 2040. Here is what you can expect: Palm Beach County: A five-mile segment of the turnpike from north of Glades Road to north of Atlantic Avenue will be
widened from six to 10 lanes to add express lanes.
An eight-mile stretch of the turnpike between the Lantana Road toll plaza and Lake Worth Road will be expanded from four to eight lanes for express lanes.
The ongoing 95 Express project will extend up to two express lanes in each direction from Southwest 10 Street in Deerfield Beach to just south of Linton Boulevard in Delray Beach by 2020. Broward County: Construction on a 21-mile stretch of the Sawgrass Expressway between Sunrise Boulevard and Powerline Road will widen, in stages, the existing six lanes to add an as-of-yet undetermined number of express lanes.
A four-mile segment of Florida’s Turnpike between Atlantic Boulevard and Wiles Road will be expanded from six to 10 lanes with improvements to the interchanges at Sample Road and Coconut Creek Parkway.
The turnpike will be widened from six to eight lanes between the Northwest 57th Avenue/Red Road interchange and the Miramar toll plaza, that includes adding lanes to the bridge over Northwest 27th Avenue/University Drive.
A four-mile stretch of the turnpike between Northwest 57th Avenue/Red Road and the I-75 interchange will expand from four to eight lanes to accommodate express lanes.
On I-95, two toll lanes in each direction are being extended from north of Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale to just south of Southwest 10th Street in Deerfield Beach. The project includes the installation of sound barrier walls, drainage, signage and landscaping. It is scheduled for completion in 2020.
On I-75, up to two express lanes in each direction are being extended to a new interchange with the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike and an express lane link to the Palmetto Expressway. The express lanes from I-595 to just south of Griffin Road are expected to be open in the spring. Miami-Dade County: A five-mile segment of the turnpike extension from I-75 south to Northwest 106th Street will be expanded from six to 10 lanes to add express lanes.
The Palmetto Expressway will get up to two express lanes in each direction between the I-75/turnpike interchange and the Dolphin Expressway. The Palmetto will connect with I-75 via a two-lane flyover ramp. Completion is scheduled for the fall.
The Florida Department of Transportation plans to spend more than $1 billion adding express lanes to the already tolled Sawgrass Expressway and the turnpike.