Drivers in Broward County just got a sky-high shortcut through one of South Florida’s knottiest traffic trouble spots. A new set of long-planned flyover ramps at the Rainbow Interchange now lets motorists on the Florida Turnpike and I-595 slide directly into the I-95 express lanes, instead of fighting their way across crowded general-purpose lanes to make the jump.
The new setup eliminates a notorious weaving maneuver that has stressed out commuters for years. The tradeoff is the same as always on I-95: expect tolls, pay attention to the fresh overhead signs, and be ready for a brief adjustment period while crews finish final punch-list work.
According to a Florida Department of Transportation District Four advisory, the “Direct-Connector Flyover Ramps” from eastbound SR-862/I-595 into both the northbound and southbound SR-9/I-95 managed lanes opened on Monday morning, Dec. 22, 2025, with the managed lanes fully connected as of Dec. 5. FDOT District Four notes that updated overhead signs are already in place and that the Florida Highway Patrol will be on hand to help drivers get used to the new pattern. The agency calls this final link the connection that puts the corridor into its “ultimate configuration.”
CBS News Miami reports that drivers coming in on I-595 or the Turnpike can now merge directly into the I-95 express lanes, describing the Rainbow Interchange as Broward County’s most congested junction. The outlet’s video walkthrough breaks down how the new flyovers work and the signs motorists will see as they approach.
What Drivers Will Notice
Heading east on I-595, drivers now have a straightforward choice: flyover ramps that feed directly into the northbound and southbound I-95 managed lanes, instead of the old lane-change shuffle. The Phase 3C improvements also add one more express lane in each direction between Stirling Road and Broward Boulevard, giving the busy stretch a little more breathing room.
FDOT District Four lays out the full Phase 3C package as more than just a couple of ramps. The work includes new direct connectors, bridge widening, auxiliary lanes, and ramp reconfigurations that tie I-95, I-595, and the Turnpike together. The project timeline on the site lists a January 2019 start date and an early 2026 completion window for this segment.
How Tolls Work
The express lanes use open-road tolling with prices that rise and fall based on traffic levels. Motorists need a SunPass transponder to pay at the gantries; otherwise, they are billed later through Toll-By-Plate, according to the 595 Express operations site. 595 Express notes that toll rates are posted on overhead signs before drivers commit, so commuters can decide whether to hop into the express lanes or stick with the general-purpose lanes.
Why It Took Years - And What Comes Next
The Rainbow Interchange upgrades are part of Phase 3C of the broader 95 Express program, a design-build contract listed at roughly $457 million. Project partners and related press materials note that the Archer Western / The de Moya Group team secured the design-build award following a 2018 procurement.
To keep traffic flowing while work was underway, project accounts describe major operations such as accelerated bridge placements, gantry installations, and toll system work used to push the schedule forward while holding down daytime disruptions. GAI Consultants and contractor reports document the heavy bridge construction that helped move the program along.
For drivers, the homework is simple: build in a little extra time at first, pay close attention to the new signage, and get familiar with which ramp goes where. Local traffic pages and SunPass accounts remain the quickest way to check current lane status and toll rates as the corridor settles into its final configuration.
