Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dr. Detour
End in sight for interchange project.
Dr. Detour answers your transportation questions. Look for his column on Mondays.
Q: When we first arrived in South Florida in 2012, we were very surprised by the traffic congestion on Interstate 95 at the southbound Glades Road exit ramp. It’s been years since construction began and it’s still not finished. Why? Stan Altschul, Boynton Beach
A: Construction on Interstate 95 between Glades Road and Congress Avenue is part of the $69 million Spanish River Boulevard interchange project that began in January 2014 and is scheduled to be completed this fall.
Among the work being done along the 2.5-mile stretch of highway: a new interchange at Spanish River Boulevard and I-95, widening Spanish River Boulevard west of FAU Boulevard, constructing 13 bridges between Spanish River Boulevard and Yamato Road, improved traffic signals at intersections and more highway lighting, extra lanes on Yamato Road, and sound wall construction along Yamato Road and on the east side of I-95 north of Yamato Road.
The I-95 northbound entrance ramps from westbound and eastbound Glades Road will be closed, nightly, 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., Monday through Thursday. Traffic will be detoured via U.S. 1.
The construction schedules may change depending on holidays, poor weather or unforeseen delays, said Andi Pacini, with FDOT.
Q: Are we still on schedule to have the bridge completed on Anglers/Ravenswood Road soon? Nancy Folgmann, Fort Lauderdale
A: The bridge over the Dania CutOff Canal is scheduled to be open to traffic in August, and the rest of the project will be completed in October.
The old bridge has been demolished, and construction of the new span is ongoing, said Barbara Kelleher, with the Florida Department of Transportation.
The $4.7 million bridge replacement began in November 2015. Besides a new bridge, there will be new pavement, sidewalk, two bicycle lanes, signs and road markings, and the canal will be dredged to keep it safe for boaters to navigate.