FDOT outlines $99 million Turnpike widening for Homestead; council presses for extra lane, safety fixes
Loading...
Summary
Florida Turnpike Enterprise told Homestead council members the $99,000,000 widening project from Campbell Drive to Tallahassee Road will add lanes, strengthen bridges and upgrade lighting, and is expected to finish by mid-2027; council members urged adding a fourth lane and immediate safety work at the Campbell Drive entrance.
Florida Turnpike Enterprise officials presented city leaders on Nov. 12 with plans to widen the Turnpike extension through Homestead, saying the work is already underway and ‘‘the total project cost is approximately $99,000,000 and is anticipated to continue through mid 2027,’’ Hector Reyes, the project’s community outreach specialist, said.
The project covers the corridor from north of Campbell Drive (Southwest 132nd) to North Tallahassee Road and includes adding an additional lane within the project limits, upgraded lighting and signals, bridge strengthening, drainage and pavement improvements intended to reduce congestion and improve safety, Reyes said. ‘‘Daytime work typically occurs Monday through Sunday from 7AM to 6PM. However, overnight operations take place Sunday through Thursday from 9PM to 5AM to reduce traffic impacts during the daytime,’’ he added.
Why it matters: council members said the corridor affects daily commutes, toll costs and evacuation capacity for Homestead residents. Several elected officials pressed turnpike staff to explain why the project moves traffic capacity from two to three lanes in sections rather than adding a fourth lane. An unidentified councilmember told the presenters the change to three lanes ‘‘is not enough’’ and said local residents need more capacity for both routine commuting and emergency evacuations.
Turnpike communications manager Ethan C. Mercado said lane decisions come from longer-range traffic forecasts and funding decisions at the corridor level. ‘‘It’s normally 2045,’’ Mercado said when describing the horizon used for planning traffic demand; he offered to provide the city with the specific projections and public-meeting dates so city staff and residents could review the corridor-level planning.
Councilors and the mayor also flagged a local safety problem at the Campbell Drive northbound entrance to the Turnpike. ‘‘That’s one of the most dangerous crossroads we have. We have, like, a month ago, 147 accidents in this year, in that corner right there,’’ said an unidentified councilmember pressing for immediate attention. City Manager said staff ‘‘have asked for it to be considered as a change order to this existing contract’’ and urged Turnpike leadership to incorporate intersection improvements because of public-safety concerns.
Project details shown in slides include proposed noise walls, bridge widening over the C-103 Canal and Biscayne Drive, and a proposed new northbound ramp from Tallahassee Road. The presenters said they would coordinate short-term lane closures and detours with the city and emergency services and distributed contact information and QR codes linking to the project webpage and weekly lane-closure advisory.
Turnpike staff committed to follow up with the city. ‘‘I will get you the dates when we have the public meetings,’’ Mercado said, and said the team would supply additional documentation requested by council and staff.
Next steps: city staff said they will continue pressing turnpike leadership to pursue a change order for the Campbell Drive intersection and will circulate the Turnpike’s public-meeting dates and corridor projections to the council so residents can participate in upcoming hearings.
