MIAMI (WSVN) - Officials with the Florida Department of Transportation reopened the northbound flyover on the Rickenbacker Causeway to Interstate 95 a day after drivers experienced hours-long traffic delays.
The flyover bridges connecting westbound traffic to U.S. 1 and Interstate 95 were set to be closed for the next two months to allow crews to work on concrete pavement on the bridge decks, according to FDOT.
The lane closures on Sunday caused traffic headaches for drivers who left Key Biscayne and tried to return to the mainland.
“I went out on [Key] Biscayne for about an hour and a half,” said Pierre De Agostini.
7News received emails from frustrated drivers at around 1:30 p.m.
Gary Nurineia said he was stuck for five hours after leaving work at The Golden Hog.
“I was in that heavy traffic until I got to my home at 1 a.m.,” he said.
Business owners on Key Biscayne said this traffic nightmare is not safe for their employees.
“Some arrived to their homes at 2 o’clock in the morning, and once we leave here, we feel very uncomfortable in these situations in case of an emergency,” said business owner Jorge Gonzalez.
FDOT told 7News that construction wasn’t supposed to start until 9 p.m.
A statement released by FDOT reads in part:
While the original maintenance of traffic plan was developed with all appropriate factors considered, it was overwhelmed with the volume of vehicles ingressing and egressing from Key Biscayne yesterday.
Florida Department of Transportation
According to FDOT, by Wednesday morning, the southbound lanes will fully reopen to allow time for the installation of guardrails. While this installation occurs, surface streets should be utilized.
Commuters said they are grateful to see the accommodation in order to avoid being stuck again for hours.
“Very relieved, I don’t have to come up with different accommodations,” said a school teacher who lives in the area.
The work, originally planned to last two months, is part of a rehabilitation project to the bridges, which are nearly 50 years old, and is imperative to the structural integrity of the bridges and the safety of the traveling public, FDOT said in a release.
FDOT officials said they will continue to work with local officials on revised traffic management plans and signalization coordination.
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