Multiple construction projects in same Broward area causing difficult situations for drivers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A driver was killed after his pickup truck went over a wall and landed on I-95 in Dania Beach Monday morning.

Troopers said the driver was heading west on State Road 84 when he lost control and crashed.

The pickup truck hit a post that fell on another car, but that driver was not injured.

It all happened in an area surrounded by construction chaos that has caused a traffic mess and left many drivers confused about how to get around it, with multiple projects going on at once, some of which for more than a year.

Currently crews are on phase three of the I-95 Express project. The goal is to create express lanes from Hollywood Boulevard north to Linton Boulevard In Palm Beach County.

The I-95 and State Road 84 corridor has several detours in place, with residents who live nearby saying it can be a bit of a traffic maze.

“It’s very difficult to navigate,” said resident Kevin Gallagher. “I happen to know where I’m going because I’m living here, and I live a half a mile from the exit.”

Those detours can be tricky, but there are signs in place.

Drivers who are on westbound SR-84 and need to get on the highway in the southbound direction, have to overshoot it and loop back around.

Also, the I-95 northbound off-ramp to SR-84 has been closed since last May.

So what does this construction entail?

A new westbound State Road 84 bridge is in the process of being built and the existing eastbound bridge will be reconfigured to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.

Also, direct connection ramps between the I-95 Express lanes and I-595 will be constructed, and the SR-84 entrance ramp to northbound I-95 will be widened.

“I’m ok with the inconvenience as long as it’s servicing a better purpose in the end,” said Gallagher.

The SR-84 bridgework is expected to be completed this spring.

I-95 Express phase three work should wrap up in three years.


About the Author:

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.