Miami-Dade Commission Gives Green Light To Turnpike Express Lanes

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade Commissioners have given the green light to add express lanes to a portion of the Florida Turnpike.

According to CBS4 News partner The Miami Herald, the commission endorsed a plan to add variable toll express lanes to segments of the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, which is already a toll road.

The move clears the way for the Florida Department of Transportation to go forward with the plan.

The Herald reports it could take up to five years to put the first express lane in operation. It is expected to extend between Caribbean Boulevard and State Road 874, the Don Shula Expressway Two more express lanes would eventually run north and south along the turnpike between Kendall Drive and State Road 836.

Turnpike officials said they'll be widening the road to add the express lane. They say it won't take regular lanes from commuters.

For drivers who use the express lanes, they'll pay a higher toll depending on the congestion on the express lanes, while tolls on the regular lanes will remain fixed regardless of traffic conditions.

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