34 replies to this topic

[poonther]

jpl02, on Apr 5 2006, 10:46 PM, said:

The Palmetto is bad, but contrary to what you might believe, it's not the busiest freeway in South Florida. The busiest freeway section is I-95 between I-595 and Sunrise Blvd at over 300,000 vehicles daily. The Palmetto has 225,000 at the most. But, the Palmetto also does not have 12 lanes. The Palmetto is a beotch, the biggest beotch in the whole wide world. I ultimately have to use it to get to most places I'm going back home.

Really jpl02?  I-95 in Broward between Sunrise and I-595 is the busiest freeway section in FL?  I'm not doubting you, I'm just very surprised.  I would have thought that I-95 between Golden Glades and downtown MIA would have been the busiest section of freeway in the State.  I drive that Broward portion all the time and never really think it's that bad.  

I also believe or feel that the travel lanes on the Palmetto are smaller than most freeway travel lanes in the State....is this true or is it just my imagination?

[jpl02]

poonther, on Apr 8 2006, 11:47 AM, said:

Really jpl02?  I-95 in Broward between Sunrise and I-595 is the busiest freeway section in FL?  I'm not doubting you, I'm just very surprised.  I would have thought that I-95 between Golden Glades and downtown MIA would have been the busiest section of freeway in the State.  I drive that Broward portion all the time and never really think it's that bad.  

I also believe or feel that the travel lanes on the Palmetto are smaller than most freeway travel lanes in the State....is this true or is it just my imagination?

Yep poonther. I'm on FDOT's mailing list and yet their yearly CD with all the traffic counts from all over Florida. I've spent a lot of time looking over it, just for fun.

There's several explanations why the Broward sections of I-95 aren't as bad as the Dade sections. First of all, in Dade, the exits are spaced closer apart than in Broward, which allows for more people to 1) enter the freeway period and 2) use the freeway for short distances rather than city streets).

Plus, most of the traffic on I-95 in Dade during rush hour is all bound to downtown Miami. Nobody's getting off on local exits, which makes the traffic worse. In Broward, people on I-95 are constantly getting on, getting off, because there's no one centralized destination that everyone's going to. That leads into a LONG discussion on trip planning, which is really technical and boring, lol.

The travel lanes on the Palmetto have to meet a certain standard, so they're as wide as any other freeway in the state. Now in the construction zones, yes, they are narrowed. And boy are those a pain to drive through! Not to mention the heavy swerves when entering the constructuon zones, ha ha  

[dave8721]

JRS1, on Apr 7 2006, 10:51 AM, said:

well while we're on the subject of Miami, try LeJeune northbound from US 1 during rush hour in the pm.   try getting past the MIA and then try to get out of Dade... but you can't, see... b/c the 836 is backed up... so you have to gamble on city streets and cut-thru's... then you find yourself in Opa Locka, in an attempt to get to I-75.  next time, I'll stay on the beachside and take Collins up.  it is an adventure, though.

I agree with the MIC construction going on LeJeune near the airport is one of the worst but at least thats only "temporary" (i.e. will only last 5 to 10 years)

[jpl02]

Quote

I agree with the MIC construction going on LeJeune near the airport is one of the worst but at least thats only "temporary" (i.e. will only last 5 to 10 years)

If you think that's bad, wait until next year when they begin the total reconstruction of the Palmetto/Dolphin interchange. That project is going to be quite the beotch for the 4 or 5 years, or however long it takes to complete. And that's putting it very lightly.

If you go to the Palmetto/Okeechobee Corridor construction project website, you can see a rendering of the new interchange.

http://www.fdotpalme...m/p-826836.html

[dave8721]

Great article in today's Miami Herald about the crazy driving conditions created around Downtown Miami with all the construction giong on:

http://www.miami.com...ld/14305264.htm

Edited by dave8721, 10 April 2006 - 09:32 AM.

[JRS1]

lets face it, road conditions are going to suck in this state's major urban centers for the next God knows when.

I forgot about the SoFla toll booth stretches.

[JRS1]

some Orlando roads are pretty unsafe, like US 27 in Lake/Polk/Four Corners area, and stretches of 535 where locals are speeding and tourists are confused-- does not make for a good mix.  E. Colonial during rush hour is horrible as well.

[depechecureguyorl]

Miami - Palmetto Expy, South US 1 to Coral Gables, MacArthur Causeway, and Alton Rd in Miami Beach

Tampa - Disfunction Junction (I-4 & I-275), Hillsborough Ave, the Bridge to St. Pete

Orlando - I-4 & SR408 interchange, E. Colonial & Semoran Blvd, South JYP, and east Silver Star Rd.

[JRS1]

looks like E. Colonial is public enemy no. 1.

I've had worse luck on LeJuene (sp) in the Gables than Alton Rd. in the past...

[depechecureguyorl]

^ you know, you're right...i'll add LeJuene to the list...I also forgot to add Collins Ave & Ocean Dr, but that's a given in Miami Beach.

In Orlando, I-4 & 408 is becoming a manageable cloverleaf...now if they'd only finish the roadwork on the Turnpike from 441 to the 429.  

[USF_Rockstar]

In my experience, South Beach is the worst. US-1 from Miami through Homestead is probably 2nd, followed by Orlando (just because it seems like it goes on forever) and New Tampa.

[JRS1]

we should all make a list of do's and dont's with regard to different cities we all live in.  i.e., shortcuts etc...  that way, weary travelers will have a heads up next time thy're in town.

[USF_Rockstar]

USF_Rockstar, on Jun 23 2008, 10:45 AM, said:

In my experience, South Beach is the worst. US-1 from Miami through Homestead is probably 2nd, followed by Orlando (just because it seems like it goes on forever) and New Tampa.

One other place to add is Pinellas County during rush hour. On several occasions it has taken me close to 2hrs to make a 20mile trip from St. Pete to Palm Harbor.

Edited by USF_Rockstar, 24 August 2008 - 09:40 PM.

[JRS1]

USF_Rockstar, on Aug 24 2008, 11:39 PM, said:

One other place to add is Pinellas County during rush hour. On several occasions it has taken me close to 2hrs to make a 20mile trip from St. Pete to Palm Harbor.

I can imagine, but with all the improvements on US 19, has it improved any?

[restdevgroup]

Anywhere along the I-4 corridor is very hazardous and very aggressive. We awake when you are driving that stretch.