At the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis (R), the Florida Department of Transportation is working closely with state legislative leaders and local stakeholders to identify “significant solutions” to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion needs on the Palmetto Expressway near Miami.
[Above photo via Florida DOT.]
The solutions devised as of February 24 from that work include: adding an additional general-purpose lane in the southbound direction; reducing managed lanes in the northbound direction from two to one; and creating a new access point into the managed lanes from NW 122nd Street.
“The modifications we are implementing on the Palmetto Expressway will address the concerns that have been expressed by the governor, legislative leaders, and the traveling public,” said Kevin Thibault, secretary of the Florida DOT in a statement. “The department’s goal is to always increase safety and enhance mobility within our transportation system, and I am confident these solutions will allow us to better serve Miami-Dade’s residents and visitors.”
The agency added that this plan is anticipated to deliver a regional infrastructure network that will provide greater mobility options in Miami-Dade County. The Florida DOT also expects to begin a rulemaking effort to reduce the minimum toll rate from 50 cents to zero as part of its effort to reduce traffic congestion on the expressway.
The agency noted it is in the process of finalizing the anticipated timeline for completion of the modifications and plans to release more details soon as they become available.