The Express lanes were originally built to lighten traffic between the golden glades interchange and Downtown Miami. Almost 10 years later, the express lanes are an epic failure. The express lanes are expensive, often closed, and deadly.
The FDOT had begun to acknowledge that a problem exists, and is looking for a quick fix. Unfortunately, the quick fix they have in mind will lead to more accidents. To that end, the FDOT will begin installing more poles and sturdier poles on the Interstate 95 express lanes in Miami-Dade. The installation will lead to lane closures several times this week.
▪ All northbound lanes from State Road 836 to the Golden Glades Interchange will be closed from 9 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. Monday.
▪ The northbound express lanes also will be shut down from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 5 a.m. Thursday and from 9 p.m. Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday.
▪ The southbound express lanes over the same stretch will shut down 9 p.m. Monday until 5 a.m. Tuesday and from 9 p.m. Tuesday until 5 a.m. Wednesday.
The new safety plan calls for doubling the number of poles on I-95 in an effort to curb the practice of illegal lane-diving. If you may recall from our prior blog, the FDOT believes that by doubling the number of poles and thus limiting sight lines, motorists will be less inclined to lane dive. This is a flawed logic, which in our opinion will actually increase the number of accidents.
Mark Kaire has been practicing law in Miami for nearly 30 years. He is dedicated to helping the injured people of Miami receive compensation. Mr. Kaire has been blogging on Miami’s legal issues for many years.