UPDATE: The northbound flyover to I-95 has reopened, according to an official update by the Village of Key Biscayne this morning. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working on reopening the southbound flyover to U.S. 1 tomorrow (April 16).
On the first night of a reconstruction project involving the Rickenbacker Causeway bridge, drivers going from Key Biscayne to Miami were stuck in standstill traffic for at least five hours.
In videos posted to social media, people can be seen on the night of Sunday, April 14, camping out on the sidewalk or abandoning their cars to walk to nearby grocery stores or restaurants.
The flyover bridge connecting westbound traffic to U.S. 1 and I-95 is closed to allow workers to rehabilitate concrete pavement on the bridge decks, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The project is set to last for about two months.
Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco took to Instagram to post a statement, calling the traffic jam “not acceptable” and that a call has been scheduled with FDOT.
Miami-Dade officials are also reaching out to FDOT to address the traffic impacts of the project.
During the closure, the following detours have been established.
If you’re driving west on the causeway and want to travel south on U.S. 1/South Dixie Highway:
- Merge left at the fork towards Coconut Grove/Brickell Avenue
- Make a left turn onto South Miami Avenue
- Make a right turn into U.S. 1/South Dixie Highway
If you’re going west on the causeway and want to go north on State Road 9 or I-95:
- Merge left at the fork towards Coconut Grove/Brickell Avenue
- Continue driving west onto Southwest 26th Road
- Turn right at the bend on Southwest 26th Road, then continue driving toward Southwest 25th Road
- Use the entrance ramp onto northbound I-95 from Southwest 25th Road
Eastbound traffic will not be affected and access to SE/SW 26 Road, Brickell Avenue and South Miami Avenue will be maintained, according to FDOT. You can head to FDOT’s website for more information and any updates on this project.