CBS4.com staffers show off events in South Florida
Feb 3, 2009 10:51 pm US/Eastern
Traffic Lights To Control Car Flow Onto I-95
The Signals Will Become Operational On I-95 Ramps This Wednesday
Violators Could Face $160 Fine
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The days of flooring it to get onto I-95 are about to disappear. In another effort to control and manage rush hour traffic, beginning this week, drivers heading north out of parts of Miami-Dade will have to wait their turn to get on the highway.
New traffic signals have been installed at entrance ramps onto the highway from NW 62nd Street to the Golden Glades. They will become operational on Wednesday morning. The lights will hold each car up for two to 13 seconds, allowing cars to merge onto the highway one or two at a time during peak congestion to help the traffic flow smoothly.
"I'm sure South Florida will have no trouble following those instructions." Rory Santana of the Florida Department of Transportation told CBS4 News that drivers will have some confusion before getting used to it. He said. "The idea of stopping on a ramp on an expressway, it's going to be hard for some people to understand."
"They're similar to a red light at any intersection," said Lt. Pat Santangelo with FHP. "You see red you stop; you see green you go."
Drivers caught blowing through the traffic signals could be fined $160, and have 3 points placed on their license.
"The theory being, the merging process will be a lot more orderly," said Lt. Santangelo. "It will prevent traffic on the main line from slowing down to let people in."
Similar systems are already being used in cities like LA that have severe traffic problems.
Last December, variable toll express lanes were put into effect on I-95 from downtown Miami to the Golden Glades. Originally, the system turned the lanes in a "crash corridor." Drivers trapped in the lanes ran over slalom sticks and into each other. After a while, though, South Florida drivers grew used to the concept.
"One morning we woke up to plastic poles on I-95 and nobody really knew what it was," Lt. Santangelo said. "I think DOT did a pretty good job of trying to warn everybody of what's going on with the ramp signaling. And I think that education is going to help out a lot."
Termed "congestion tolling", the fee for using the SunPass-only lanes fluctuates from 25 cents to $6.20 based on traffic volume. The higher the traffic volume, the higher the toll. The eight-mile express lanes are free to registered hybrid cars, motorcycles, buses and registered car pools with three or more people inside.
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