First New Ramp Of I-595 Construction To Open Tonight

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – The first new ramp of the I-595 Express Corridor Improvements Project will open to drivers Thursday night.

The new direct connection ramp connects southbound U.S. 441 to the northbound Florida Turnpike.

"Opening the direct connection ramp to northbound Florida's Turnpike is the first of three new ramp systems opening to motorists this year. These ramp systems are designed to eliminate weaving conflicts at interchanges and will greatly improve westbound traffic flow." said FDOT I-595 Project Manager Paul Lampley.

Construction crews are still working on four additional ramps east of Turnpike interchange which they hope to have open to drivers before the holidays this year. The project team also plans to open continuous westbound S.R. 84 by the end of 2011. This requires building a new and separate section of westbound S.R. 84 between U.S. 441 and Davie Road. Project leaders said lanes for westbound S.R. 84 in this area will be open a year ahead of schedule.

"Completing the missing link of westbound S.R. 84 over a year early will increase the number of travel lanes for westbound traffic in one of the most congested areas of the corridor," Lampley said.

The I-595 project consists of the reconstruction of the I-595 mainline from the I-75/Sawgrass Expressway to the I-95 interchange and from Peters Road to Griffin Road on Florida's Turnpike for 2.5 miles for a total project length of 13 miles. The project includes the reconstruction of the Turnpike Interchange, the additional lanes on the I-595 mainline, the addition of braided ramps and bypass ramps and a new reversible express lanes system.