I-95 off-ramp at Spanish River opens

BOCA RATON — A long-awaited, major highway project to add a fifth Interstate 95 interchange in Boca Raton is nearing an end, as an off-ramp at Spanish River Boulevard opened Monday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

The northbound off-ramp at Spanish River Boulevard opened to drivers.

The on-ramps and southbound off-ramps still are closed for construction, however, said Andrea Pacini, spokeswoman for the project.

Hurricane Irma’s outer bands hit Palm Beach County on Sept. 10, delaying the Spanish River Interchange project by 12 days, Pacini said.

The storm did not add to the cost of the $69 million project, the department of transportation said.

It isn’t clear when the interchange, which is more than 90 percent completed, will be finished. The department of transportation’s contract runs through November, but that will likely be extended because of weather and holidays, Pacini said.

The project is in its third year. Residents have faced several prolonged road closures and traffic pattern changes in the area as the work has been underway. But state officials have said the work will be worth it.

Once completed, FDOT has said, the interchange should help relieve congestion at the busy I-95 interchange at Glades Road. The new access point also will provide direct access to and from I-95 for Florida Atlantic University.