Commuters traversing the Rickenbacker Causeway Flyover are in for another round of traffic interruptions, as rehabilitation work on the bridge ensues. Starting at 1 a.m. Today, those heading westbound towards U.S. 1 will need to seek alternative routes, a closure expected to affect traffic until July 20, as WSVN reported. The westbound ramp to Interstate 95 will, however, remain operational during this timeframe.
The second phase of the project will commence on July 21 at around 10 p.m., resulting in a closure of the ramp from the westbound causeway to northbound I-95 until August 3. During this period, the access to U.S 1 is slated to stay open, according to NBC Miami. This development follows an incident in April where a similar closure resulted in severe traffic delays, leaving drivers in a standstill for hours on end.
Learning from the prior incident, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has split the project into two distinct phases. "We cannot guarantee there won’t be impacts. But we have looked at every situation from every angle and plan for every contingency,” District 6 Construction Engineer Mario Cabrera told NBC Miami in an assurance to the public. Motorists are advised to detour via Southwest 26th Road, then south on Brickell Avenue to reach US-1 during the first phase, while the second phase will redirect drivers west following signs to the northbound I-95 entrance ramp.
To alleviate traffic strain, Cabrera also mentioned, "We’re also going to have boots on the ground at the traffic management center in Miami-Dade County that will be able to adjust the signals in real time." FDOT has cautioned that the work schedule is open to change and urges drivers to stay updated through FDOT's social media channels, as well as to watch for area signs broadcasting the latest detour and closure information.
