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About 95 Express Expand All | Contract All What is 95 Express?95 Express will reduce congestion on I-95 by introducing express lanes and Bus Rapid Transit service from I-395 in downtown Miami to Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale
How will 95 Express operate?95 Express will operate as High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, separated from regular traffic lanes, that drivers can choose to use when their time is more valuable than the toll they might pay. Tolls will fluctuate, the goal being to keep traffic in the lanes moving at a speed of approximately 50 miles per hour. Emergency vehicles, registered vanpools, registered carpools of 3+, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles can use the lanes without paying a toll. Buses of several types can also use the lanes toll free -- Miami-Dade and Broward County express and regular transit, commercial, and public school. Trucks will not be allowed to use the express lanes.
Where will 95 Express lanes be?
The system will ultimately function on I-95 between I-395 in downtown Miami and Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
How soon could it open?
Phase 1A, northbound lanes between I-195 and the Golden Glades Interchange, should be open for traffic by summer 2008. Phase IB will open southbound lanes and collect tolls between the Golden Glades and I-395, and northbound between I-395 and I-195 by late 2009. Phase 2 will add lanes in both directions between the Golden Glades and I-595 and is expected to open by 2010.
Will there be a lot of construction on I-95 to build it?
There is no need to widen the highway to put 95 Express into operation. To create a new lane in each direction, existing lanes will be modified from 12 feet wide to 11 feet and shoulder widths will be reduced. The new lane plus the existing HOV lane will be converted to 95 Express. The existing regular travel lanes in each direction will remain. The only construction necessary will be to alter the bridges at I-195 and do some minor work north of the Golden Glades Interchange in the median and on the outside shoulders.
How will vehicles be separated from traffic in the regular lanes?
The lanes of 95 Express will be separated from regular lanes by a barrier of flexible posts similar to those used for other facilities across the U.S.
Will the speed limit be the same in the express lanes as in the general use lanes?
Yes, the speed limits will be the same.
Who is developing 95 Express?
The Florida Department of Transportation is taking the lead in implementing 95 Express in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Miami-Dade & Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Miami-Dade & Broward County Transit, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority and South Florida Commuter Services.
Why is this needed?
I-95 between Miami and Fort Lauderdale is one of the most heavily traveled highways in the nation. Its HOV lanes no longer offer much of a time savings over general travel lanes south of the Golden Glades. The 95 Express lanes will be operated to maintain a speed of approximately 50 miles per hour, at the same time alleviating traffic congestion on the general use lanes.
Why now?
New census data ranks South Florida as one of the top ten fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation over the past six years. With employment and population estimated to grow more than 50% by 2025, South Florida will continue to face challenges from traffic congestion, particularly on I-95. 95 Express will provide increased capacity for travelers with enhanced express bus service, and will encourage more carpooling, particularly during peak travel periods.
What are the benefits?
The project will provide a new choice for consistent and dependable travel conditions during rush hour. South of the Golden Glades Interchange, I-95 carries over 290,000 vehicles per day, with traffic volumes expected to exceed 360,000 vehicles per day by year 2030. It is cost prohibitive to widen the corridor, so congestion management strategies must be explored.
How can it reduce congestion on I-95?
Congestion pricing within the lanes limits the number of vehicles using them and keeps traffic flowing at a speed of approximately 50 miles per hour. Not all drivers will choose to use 95 Express all the time, but since some drivers will, congestion in the regular lanes will be reduced.
What will the tolls be?
The tolls will fluctuate throughout the day to keep 95 Express from being overwhelmed with vehicles. This is called congestion pricing. If travel speeds in 95 Express lanes start to slow and fall below 50 miles per hour, the toll will increase to maintain a free flowing condition. Tolls will vary and are likely to be between 25¢ and $2.50 from the Golden Glades Interchange to downtown Miami.
If the price varies, how will drivers know how much it will cost?
Electronic message boards similar to those already on I-95 will display the current toll being charged. With congestion pricing, the toll will be higher during peak periods when the lanes have a lot of vehicles in them, and lower during non-peak periods.
What will the tolls pay for?Toll revenues will be used to
-Fund operations and maintenance costs for the express lanes and the enhanced transit service -Fund increased Florida Highway Patrol enforcement and Road Ranger support for all I-95 users in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and -Pay off locally issued bonds used to fund portions of the construction costs. Who Pays/ Who Rides at no Charge? Will all vehicles pay to use 95 Express?
Emergency vehicles, registered vanpools, registered carpools of 3+, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles can use the lanes without paying a toll. Buses of several types can also use the lanes toll free -- Miami-Dade and Broward County express and regular transit, commercial, and public school.
Why do I have to pay extra when I already paid for the road with gas taxes?
It’s your choice. You do not have to pay a toll if you
- use the four existing regular lanes - register as part of a 3+ carpool or vanpool - drive a motorcycle or hybrid vehicle - or ride a bus. You have a new option – an option that you may never use or one that you might need once in a while. Unfortunately, gas tax revenues have not kept pace with the need to operate and maintain existing transportation, or with the demand and cost of new transportation. Even though the price of a gallon of gas has skyrocketed, the revenue per gallon is relatively unchanged. And with the increases in fuel efficiencies, the same number of miles traveled actually produces less revenue. Why not widen I-95 and avoid tolls altogether?
That used to be the solution for reducing congestion, but it has not kept pace with South Florida’s explosive growth. Further widening would impact neighbors and require complete rebuilding of the noise reduction walls and pedestrian overpass. Widening wouldn't’t provide the incentive to carpool, use transit, travel during non-peak periods or eliminate some trips completely – all of which the express lanes will do. By 2025, when the population grows by nearly 50 percent, the roadway congestion would be even worse without another solution like 95 Express.
Would people from all income levels likely use 95 Express?
Yes, studies from California suggest that almost 20% of express lane users have annual incomes under $40,000 and nearly 25% have incomes under $60,000. A recent study done in South Florida indicated that the benefits of express lanes do not divide along demographic boundaries, and further that most participants thought express lanes would benefit them personally and are a good idea for the region. These findings parallel those of other studies around the country.
How will a vanpool or carpool be registered?
Registration is through South Florida Commuter Services, a regional commuter assistance program funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. SFCS also offers ride matching, a staffed call center with access to the major transit agencies, and the Emergency Ride Home program. For more information call 1-800-234-RIDE or visit www.1800234RIDE.com
Is this concept safe?
The express lanes will be separated from general use lanes by a buffer of flexible posts. In Miami-Dade County there will be only one entrance and exit for the express lanes. Random and uncontrolled lane changes that exist today will be eliminated in the Miami-Dade portion of I-95. The elimination of weaves is expected to improve overall safety. Implementing ramp signaling is also expected to provide both operational and safety benefits. That system of red and green traffic lights controls the flow of vehicles entering the highway and makes it easier for drivers to merge into the moving traffic. Crash reduction as a result of ramp signaling has been reported around the country to be between 15 and 43%.
Has this been tried elsewhere?
Near Los Angeles, congestion pricing has been used for ten years on highly congested State Road 91. San Diego, Minneapolis and Denver have converted HOV lanes to toll lanes. They all give motorists the choice to use them when needed.
What if a vehicle breaks down in the express lanes?
TFDOT will increase the number of Road Rangers on I-95 to provide a rapid response for stranded motorists and to assist in clearing incidents. These new Road Rangers will be in addition to those already patrolling I-95.
How will 95 Express benefit bus riders?Express bus riders on I-95 account for 18% of travelers in the HOV lane during peak periods. 95 Express will make Miami-Dade’s transit service more reliable for its users at no extra charge. Currently, express buses operate every five minutes during peak periods from the Golden Glades Interchange to downtown Miami, with a travel time of approximately 30 minutes, and there is great demand for this service. Bus Rapid Transit on 95 Express will increase that frequency, in effect putting twice as many buses on the road and cutting travel times in half. Bus service across the county line will be seamless, eliminating the need for transfers at the Golden Glades Park-n-Ride. The result will mean improved travel conditions for transit users.
Where will 95 Express lanes be?
The system will ultimately function on I-95 between I-395 in downtown Miami and Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
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Phase 1 Entry and Exits Diagram Final Entry and Exits Diagram  |
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I-95 (SR 9A):
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Please note that phases 1A and 1B may overlap and this schedule is tentative subject to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. Phase 1B includes significant modifications to the on and off ramps between I-95 and SR 112 as well as all necessary work along the southbound lanes of the interstate. This work is expected to begin by fall 2008. Southbound toll lanes are expected to be completed by late 2009 and the entire project will be completed by spring 2010. Phase 2 includes the portion of I-95 from the Golden Glades Interchange in Miami-Dade County to I-595 in Broward County. This phase is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2010.
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