Frequently Asked Questions - DOT

The project began construction in November 2009 and is expected to be completed by 2015.

The purpose of the project is to enhance safety, increase capacity and increase the efficiency for motorists using the Interchange.

The project benefits include:

• Construction of new connections between S.R. 826 and S.R. 836 in all directions allowing motorists direct access and reducing travel times
• Construction of a new direct connection from northbound S.R. 826 to westbound S.R. 836
• Construction of connector ramps and frontage roads for local traffic movements eliminating the need to use mainline S.R. 826 and S.R. 836.
• New at-grade reconstruction of Milam Dairy Road, and construction of entrance/exit ramps, enhancing access to/from S.R. 836
• Reconstruction of West Flagler Street with triple left turns for all movements enhancing access to and from the S.R. 826 ramps along with widening and resurfacing of West Flagler Street between SW/NW 76 Avenue and SW/NW 78 Place
• Installation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) cameras and sensors allowing for real-time traffic updates, as well as assisting in the rapid deployment of first responders and Road Rangers to clear disabled and accident vehicles from travel lanes
• Reconstruction of NW 11 Street from NW 72 Avenue with a connection to Milam Dairy Road
• Installation of new signalization, lighting and landscaping
• Reconstruction of NW 12 Street beneath S.R. 826
• New bridges over future NW 7 Street and NW 82 Avenue, allowing the provision for future connections underneath the reconstructed highway
• Realignment of the North Line Canal parallel to S.R. 826.

The estimated cost of the project is $559 million.

A design-build is a construction project delivery system where the design and construction aspects are contracted with a single entity known as the design-builder or design-build contractor. The design-builder is usually the general contractor, but in many cases it is also the design professional (architect or engineer).

This method is used to minimize the project risk for an owner and to reduce the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project. The most efficient design-builder has design and construction professionals working directly for the same at-risk entity. This saves both time and money.

MDX is a state sanctioned, locally administered, public agency created in 1994 by the State of Florida and the Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County. MDX oversees, operates and maintains five expressways: S.R. 836/Dolphin Expressway; S.R. 112/Airport Expressway; S.R. 874/Don Shula Expressway; S.R. 878/Snapper Creek Expressway; and S.R. 924/Gratigny Parkway. The MDX transportation system is designed to provide safe, affordable choices for the movement of people and goods in Miami-Dade County. For more information, visit their website www.mdx-way.com.

This interchange is comprised of two different roadways, S.R. 826/Palmetto Expressway and the S.R. 836/Dolphin Expressway. S.R. 826 is an FDOT roadway. S.R. 836 is owned by the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX).

There are no plans included in this project to add a tolling system to S.R. 826. Additionally, FDOT does not plan on adding any tolling system to this road in the future.

The number of existing lanes will be maintained during the heavy demand (peak) hours. Lane closures and/or detours will be implemented between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Portable message boards will be installed to keep drivers informed of real-time traffic conditions as they occur along the project corridor. Road Rangers will be available 24 hours a day to help stranded motorists and remove disabled vehicles from travel lanes.

The Public Information Specialist for the project is Oscar Gonzalez and he can be reached by phone at (786) 280-0983 or via e-mail at ogonzalez@mrgmiami.com. He will be available to answer general questions about the project throughout the construction process.

Yes. If you cannot get through to Mr. Gonzalez, please leave a message and a response will be provided as soon as possible.

ITS stands for Intelligent Transportation Systems. The ITS Program is a transportation initiative that uses advanced electronic technologies to manage our transportation infrastructure more efficiently to provide motorists with safer, more reliable roadways. ITS is currently comprised of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras, Dynamic Message Signs, and Roadway Detectors. These technologies allow traffic managers at the regional Traffic Management Center (TMC) to operate and manage several interrelated services 24/7 that are helping to improve our existing transportation system, such the Road Ranger Service Patrol Program, the new 511 Traveler Informa-tion System and the 95 Express.

The FDOT District Six ITS Program has installed ITS technologies along the major roadways in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. These technologies are comprised of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras, Dynamic message Signs (DMS) and Roadway Detectors that are integrated together to manage and improve roadway conditions. These devices communicate back to the TMC through a fiber-optic communication network to help traffic managers at the TMC respond to real-time traffic conditions 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. District Six has a total of 437 ITS devices that cover 213.5 center line miles of managed roadway along Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

The ITS Program is reducing congestion to provide safer, more reliable roadway travel conditions. By using advanced, cost-efficient technologies to manage traffic, the ITS Program is maximizing the efficiency and overall capacity of our existing roadway systems. It is helping by relieving the problem of traffic congestion and reducing the need to build or widen additional roadways. The ITS Program also provides our transportation system with several interrelated services that serve a different function, and together are improving the overall mobility of our roadways. These services include traffic management, incident management and traveler information.

The Road Ranger Service Patrols Program provides free incident management and motorist assistance services along the major roadways of Miami-Dade County. They are dispatched by operations staff at the TMC and work alongside emergency responders to maintain reliable conditions along our regional transportation system.

The Road Ranger Service Patrols perform the following services along the major roadways of Miami-Dade County:

• Provide maintenance-of-traffic (MOT) services during incidents
• Assist in Incident Management and response
• Clear disabled vehicles from travel lanes
• Clear debris from travel lanes
• Change flat tires
• Jump-start vehicles and make minor repairs
• Provide stranded motorists two free local calls
• Monitor abandoned vehicles and notify Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)

Yes. As a result of the Interchange project, two additional Rangers are supplementing existing services on S.R. 826 (one regular tow truck circulates the area and one flatbed tow truck is staged at strategic points on S.R. 826 and is dispatched as needed). The new Road Rangers will travel mostly from SW 24 Street to NW 36 Street along the Palmetto Expressway. MDX manages their own Road Ranger services on S.R. 836. Road Rangers will be called into service on either roadway whenever there is a need.

Simply dial *FHP (347) and remain patient. Be alert to surrounding traffic and stay safe as assistance is on its way.

The Rapid Incident Scene Clearance (RISC) Program expedites the removal of large vehicle crashes that affect our highways along Miami-Dade County.

The RISC program offers financial incentives to specialized companies to respond to and provide complete clearance of incidents such as large vehicle crashes, rollovers and cargo spills within a specified period of time. Operational staff at the TMC coordinates with FHP to activate the program accordingly to restore highway capacity in shorter time frames than they would with regular towing and recovery services.

The ITS assists in the rapid deployment of first responders and Road Rangers to aid stranded motorists and clear disabled vehicles from travel lanes. The Rangers also provide additional first-hand information regarding traffic conditions to the TMC.

You can contact the FDOT District Six Public Information Office at 1-800-435-2368 to learn about future projects in your area or by submitting your comments and questions to our office by visiting clicking here.

FDOT and other utility companies work hand-in-hand before and during construction to prevent utility outages during construction. However, there are times when services are disrupted accidentally. In these instances, the contractor notifies the utility owner immediately so they can arrange to make any necessary repairs. If, for any reason, you experience a utility outage during construction, please contact the Project Public Information Specialist at 786-280-0983 immediately so we can determine the cause of the problem and facilitate repair where necessary.

FDOT strives to maintain access to businesses and residences at all times. There may be occasions when it is necessary to temporarily close a driveway to perform project related work. Whenever this is necessary, the project team makes every effort to coordinate with the property owner in advance to minimize impacts.

If you feel that your property has been damaged by construction-related activities, please contact the Project Public Information Specialist at 786-280-0983 immediately so we can discuss this matter. If it is determined that the damage was caused during construction, it is the contractor’s responsibility to restore damaged property to its original condition prior to completing a construction project.

FDOT works hard to minimize all project-related impacts, but you might experience one or more of the following during construction: increased dust, additional noise, reduced speed limits, temporary detours and/or lane closures, temporary sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours, heavy machinery and equipment moving in and around the construction zone, flagmen directing motorists around construction activity, and project personnel moving in and around the project area.

The development of the construction schedule is based on a number of different factors. Prior to construction, the project’s design engineers review the impacts and look closely at the project area before determining how and when the work should be performed. In some instances, work is scheduled for daytime hours or nighttime hours only. In other instances, work is scheduled for both day and nighttime hours. The goal is to complete the work as quickly as possible, while minimizing impacts. Some factors that influence the work schedule include: safety of workers and the public, impacts on motorists through the work zone, and impacts on area schools, hospitals, and more.

FDOT does not provide monetary compensation to businesses within the construction zone. We do, however, take measures to minimize any construction-related impacts. FDOT strives to maintain access at all times and provide business operators with timely information about construction activities that might affect them.

The following steps can be taken to make it easier to navigate through any construction zone:

1. Stay Alert – Expect anything to occur when entering a work zone
2. Pay Close Attention – Signs and work zone flaggers save lives
3. Turn on Your Headlights – Workers and other motorists must see you
4. Don’t Tailgate – Unexpected stops frequently occur in work zones
5. Don’t Speed – Note the posted speed limits in and around the work zone
6. Keep up With the Traffic Flow – Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and those traveling around you
7. Don’t Change Lanes in the Work Zone – The time saved just isn’t worth it
8. Minimize Distractions – Avoid changing radio stations and using cellular phones while driving in the work zone
9. Expect the Unexpected – Keep an eye out for workers and their equipment
10. Be Patient – Remember the work zone crew members are working to improve your future ride.