FDOT presents Sterling Road interchange study; commissioners press for mitigation, tribe coordination

FDOT consultant Justin Rielitz presented a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study on June 18, 2025, for a proposed Sterling Road interchange with Florida's Turnpike that FDOT says would ease congestion at the nearby Hollywood Boulevard and Griffin Road interchanges and improve travel time reliability.

The project would add north- and southbound ramps, replace the Sterling Road bridge over the Turnpike, build a new bridge to connect Sterling Road to a new “Seminole Way” access, and install a 12-foot shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists. Rielitz said the analysis shows reduced travel times of roughly 30–38 percent at the existing interchanges and forecasted decreases in traffic on Hollywood Boulevard and Griffin Road if the interchange is built.

Why it matters: FDOT presented the interchange as a capacity and safety improvement that also would help emergency response because portions of the Turnpike are designated evacuation routes. The plan includes multimodal elements — a raised, separated shared-use path — that commissioners said are especially important for Sterling Road east of U.S. 441, where pedestrian activity is high.

Key details from the presentation

- Project limits and components: Sterling Road from west of SW 58th Ave. to east of SW 40th Ave.; Turnpike ramps; replacement of the Sterling Road bridge; a new Seminole Way access bridge; 12-foot shared-use paths; intersection improvements at State Road 7/US 441. - Traffic effects: FDOT’s preliminary modeling projects reduced peak loads at Hollywood and Griffin interchanges and modest increases on Sterling Road east of the Turnpike. - Right-of-way and property impacts: Rielitz said “small takings” would be required along some frontages, mainly on the northeast side of Sterling near the Turnpike, and that the team is coordinating with the Seminole Tribe where the project enters reservation lands. - Schedule: The PD&E study is funded now; the study completion was projected in roughly one year. Design and construction are not funded at present and could come later (FDOT indicated design often takes several years).

Questions from commissioners and public follow-up

Commissioners pressed FDOT on several specific issues: how much property would be taken, potential impacts to adjacent churches and driveways, the feasibility of moving the shared-use path farther east, and whether businesses along US 441 had been contacted about driveway changes. Rielitz said FDOT had mailed notices and held public information meetings (virtual and in-person); he reported about 70 attendees across sessions and said the design team heard both support and access-management concerns.

Adam Gruber, the district commissioner, asked whether takings would be by eminent domain; Rielitz replied only small takings were expected, and the team would work with property owners. Commissioner Clary pressed for clarity on the proposed Seminole Way bridge and whether land on the Seminole reservation would be needed; Rielitz replied the team is coordinating with the tribe and some reservation land is part of the study area. Vice Mayor Quintana urged FDOT to treat the Hollywood Boulevard–Turnpike interchange and other nearby safety projects as priorities as well, telling the team: “it’s a safety issue” getting onto the Turnpike from Hollywood Boulevard.

What remains unresolved

- Funding for design and construction has not been committed; FDOT is funded for the PD&E study only. Rielitz said the study would be complete about a year from now and that construction timing will depend on future funding. - Several driveway/median access changes will be needed; FDOT said it will continue outreach with affected property owners and the two local churches cited by commissioners. - Coordination with the Seminole Tribe remains active; FDOT said it will continue tribal government consultation.

Next steps

FDOT will finish the PD&E study, complete environmental and design analyses, and then publish the outcomes and next-step schedule. FDOT said it will return to the public and the City Commission before any final commitment to design or construction funding.

Ending

Commissioners praised FDOT’s inclusion of a raised, separated shared-use path and pressed the team to keep working with property owners, the Seminole Tribe and Broward County to limit access impacts and accelerate safety work where feasible.