VPP Projects Involving Tolls
Category: Priced Lanes
Sub-Category: High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes

Project - FLORIDA: HOT Lanes on I-95 in Miami-Dade County

Development of this project was undertaken in phases. In the first phase, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) conducted a preliminary feasibility study along with an investment-grade traffic and revenue study, market research, outreach efforts, and development of monitoring and evaluation plans.

For the second phase, FDOT together with local transit partners proposed a plan to significantly reduce congestion in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and to provide new and enhanced mobility options for motorists and transit users in the region, FDOT proposed a pilot project to provide managed lanes on I-95, from I-395 in Miami-Dade County, to I-595 in Broward County. The plan included shoulder modifications and re-striping to create one new northbound and southbound travel lane within the existing right-of-way. The existing High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (HOV) plus the new additional lane were then converted to limited access managed lanes called the '95 Express while still maintaining the same number of general "free" lanes as before. Approximately 7 miles of 95 Express lanes is currently in operation in both directions between I-395 and the Golden Glades interchange. It provides South Florida motorists and transit users with a viable option for consistent and dependable travel conditions, particularly during peak travel times.

95 Express lanes utilizes variable congestion pricing, or tolls, that fluctuate with increased congestion so that an operating speed of 45 MPH or greater can be maintained. Transit (buses) and registered high occupancy vehicles with three or more people (HOV-3) can use the 95 Express lanes at no cost. Additionally, other vehicles may enter 95 Express lanes by paying a toll with the use of SunPass electronic tolling system. In addition to toll revenue supporting the cost of the project, FDOT proposed allocating portion of the tolls to support the operation of Bus Rapid Transit on the corridor.

An estimated time savings of 50% is anticipated for express bus service that currently operates in this section of the corridor. The 95 Express received $62.9 million in funding from the USDOT as part of the Urban Partnership Agreement to fight grid lock. To see a description of the project, plus performance information go to http://www.95express.com.

Tolling Operations Began

Northbound 2008
Southbound 2010

Implementation Funds Awarded

2004

Project Status

July - September 2011 Update

As of August 31, 2011, 95 Express had 13.3 million trips in 2011 bringing the total since initial opening, December 5, 2008, to 38.5 million trips. Through August 31, 2011, total revenue for 2011 was $10.6 million, bringing the total revenue to date to approximately $29.4 million. The total number of registered toll exempt vehicles, e.g., carpool, vanpool, buses & hybrids was 8,661.

For More Information Contact

Rory Santana, P.E., PTOE
District VI Intelligent Transportation Systems Manager
Florida Department of Transportation
Sunguide Transportation Center
Phone: (305) 470-5757
E-mail: rory.santana@dot.state.fl.us

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