Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Spanish River interchange delayed
Last two ramps are now expected to be finished April 30
It seems like we’ve been waiting forever for a new interchange at Spanish River Boulevard in Boca Raton. But forever won’t end for another month.
The interchange on Interstate 95, a maze of ramps connecting Interstate 95, Spanish River and Yamato Road, was originally supposed to be done in 2016, then by December 2017, then January, then March. Last week, it was postponed again.
Drivers can now enter and exit I-95 from Spanish River, but the last two ramps to be finished — links between Spanish River and Yamato — still need the final layers of asphalt, striping, sod and irrigation lines, fencing, lighting and signs.
“It is unsafe to open the ramps to traffic now given the proximity and constant movement of heavy machinery and personnel,” said project spokeswoman Andi Pacini.
The main contractor, Astaldi Construction, estimated the interchange would be open by the end of March, but Pacini said the contract did not have a specific opening date.
“Per the contract, there were no targeted dates for these [final two] ramps to be open,” she said. “We anticipate they will open close to the end of the contract time, which is
currently April 30th.”
The interchange is designed to reduce traffic congestion in Boca Raton, particularly around the Florida Atlantic University campus.
It’s badly needed, said Alfred Mims, who delivered groceries by car while pursuing a masters degree at FAU.
“Around the school, [traffic] is the worst environment ever,” he said.
More than 180,000 vehicles travel I-95 between Glades and Yamato roads every day, according to state statistics.
The 4-year, $69-million project involved the construction of 13 bridges, new ramps between Spanish River Boulevard and I-95, the widening of Spanish River Boulevard west of FAU Boulevard, and installation of new traffic signals at upgraded intersections.
Most of the I-95 entrance/exit ramps and bridges between Glades and Yamato roads opened as the project progressed.
Operations director Hakan Dalkiran said the project has weathered several obstacles.
“There was a major deviation from the original contract which threw us off,” he said. “There was Hurricane Irma and that had a big impact.”
The Florida Department of Transportation wanted I-95 widened to make room for future express lanes. That added a year to the project that began in January 2014.
Hurricanes Matthew and Irma also interrupted construction as crews cleared work sites before the storms, then got busy afterward hauling away storm debris.
“Given the complexity of the project and the length of time it takes to build this with all the different ramps and bridges, it’s well within the time frame you would anticipate,” said Palm Beach County Commissioner Steven Abrams.