I-595 Project Hits Another Milestone

DAVIE (CBS4) – So far it has been three years in the making and the bane of most drivers who have to deal with lane shifts, construction walls and moving exits.

The I-595 Express Corridor Improvement Project began in February 2010. When it's complete, there will be a reversible toll lane and new more efficient exits.

This week the project reached a milestone. One section of the highway is complete. On Monday, the permanent eastbound lanes from Nob Hill Road to Davie Road were opened to drivers.

"Ahhh, I think it's good. It's been a long time coming," said Elaine Fuller.

But other drivers weren't so impressed and said they'll be glad when the whole thing is done.

"I've actually changed my work hours to 7 to 4 because I can't deal with it. It's like when I leave at 5 o'clock it takes me an hour to get home," said Debbie King.

Drivers who use the ever-changing interstate say they are frustrated by the lane shifts and trying to figure out which exits are open, which have close and which have changed altogether.

"I was supposed to get off at University. Last week you were able to and this week you weren't so now I'm stuck at Davie Road," said one irked driver.

"This has been years. It's frustrating when you have to drive back and forth on 595. I think it's taking too long," said Isabella Manrique.

What many drivers may not realize is this project could have taken up to 20 years if it was done by the state and it's "pay as you go" approach. Instead the public/private project is rolling along at a much faster clip and project managers have promised that by the Fall I-595 will look totally different and be close to complete.

"By the end of the year, we should have everyone in their final configuration and just working on the intelligent transportation system which are your overhead signs with message, the cameras and our tolling system," said Florida Dept. of Transportation spokesman Paul Lampley.

For the latest on the project's progress, go to I595express.com.

The nearly two billion dollar project, which includes reconstruction of the Turnpike Interchange, is expected to be done by early 2014. When complete the new I-595 will accommodate up to 300,000 cars a day. Right now, approximately 180,000 drivers use I-595 on a daily basis.