News Flash : Monday, November 16, 2009

Southbound 95 Express Plastic Pole Installation Has Begun

Motorists are set to experience a change along southbound I-95 in Miami-Dade County. Workers have begun installing bright orange plastic poles to establish a permanent barrier between two new southbound express lanes and four local lanes.

The plastic poles are being installed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., over a one-week period, weather permitting. Workers have started at the north end and will proceed southward and the distance between the entrance and the exit point will change nightly until all the poles are installed. Remember it is unsafe and unlawful to drive over or around these poles to change lanes.

Express lanes are intended for longer trips and have limited entrance and exit points. Southbound motorists can enter the express lanes just south of Miami Gardens Drive as well as from State Road 826, State Road 7, the Golden Glades Park-and-Ride lot, Florida’s Turnpike and southbound 95 in the vicinity of NW 151st street.

Motorists will exit the southbound express lanes by taking the State Road one-twelve westbound flyover towards Miami International Airport (MIA) or by continuing south to where the plastic poles end, between State Road 112 and State Road 836.
Drivers are urged to plan ahead and follow these simple safety tips:

• Use local lanes If your trip calls for exiting I-95 north of S.R. 836


• If you unintentionally enter the express lanes, stay calm. Do not stop or attempt to change lanes. Proceed south to where you can exit the express lanes safely and turn around


• If you are in the local lanes, do not cross the plastic poles to get into the express lanes

These changes are part of a cost-effective effort to reduce congestion, and encourage better use of the highway with less community impact. Electronic toll collection in the new southbound lanes will begin in mid January 2010. For more information please visit www.95express.com.