WEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – A new ramp connecting the Palmetto Expressway to the Dolphin Expressway opened Monday morning.
"Smoother commute once people become a custom to it," said Oscar Gonzalez with the Florida Department of Transportation.
Drivers headed northbound on the 826 will take a new ramp to the 836 eastbound.
However, cars must get onto the new ramp for the Dolphin Expressway one mile early. Otherwise, they will be stuck on the Palmetto.
"Right now, they are exiting almost at 836," said Gonzalez. "Monday morning, they have to exit right after 8th Street so that means once they are getting close to Coral Way, get over to the right hand lanes."
"It is frustrating. It's bumper to bumper," said Ramon Rodriguez.
The new ramp will help drivers like Rodriguez, a nursing major at Keiser University who drives on the highway every day, but is sometimes late to class because of back-ups.
"Do you think the new ramp will help? asked Local 10's Ben Kennedy.
"I hope so, I really do. I have been living in Miami for 30 years and traffic is really bad," said Rodriguez.
"This is one piece of a $560 million project," said Gonzalez.