Jan 10, 2008 7:41 pm US/Eastern
Federal Funds Awarded To I-95 Express Lanes
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MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area will receive nearly $63-million in federal funding to improve I-95. Florida Department of Transportation officials inaugurated the plan on Friday, where the project will create two express toll lanes in each direction between I-395 in Miami and I-595.
"This is a huge win for Miami and improving I-95, one of the most utilized roads in South Florida. As an Urban Partner, Miami can move forward with a vital plan to ease congestion so we can spend more time in our homes instead of in our cars," said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Florida Department of Transportation officials will to use the cash infusion to begin work on the I-95 Express plan which will create two express toll lanes in each direction between I-395 in Miami and I-595 in Fort Lauderdale.
Drivers using the High Occupancy Toll lanes will only be allowed to enter and exit at five points along the 21 mile stretch. The lanes will only accept SunPass, and the tolls will vary depending on the amount of traffic using them. As traffic increases on the toll lanes; so will the fee to use it. County buses and registered carpoolers will be allowed to use the express lanes for free.
"One of my top transportation priorities is to relieve the traffic congestion so many Floridians face each day," said Governor Charlie Crist. "South Florida has the sixth worst traffic congestion in the nation. That's unacceptable. The 95 Express project will bring relief to Florida's families by saving them time on crowded highways."
"Anyone who drives around South Florida knows that congestion is a real headache, but it is more than an inconvenience, it is a threat to the long-term prosperity of our community," said Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. "The selection of Miami for an Urban Partnership Agreement is an endorsement of the region's comprehensive transportation plan that seeks to address current congestion as well as anticipated future growth."
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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