For now, stretch of I-75 won't expand to 6 lanes

Michael Turnbell | TRANSPORTATION COLUMNIST

July 27, 2008

Q: I just drove back from Atlanta using Interstate 75 and Florida's Turnpike. With all the toll money collected through the years, why isn't the turnpike at least six lanes for its entire length? I got caught in an hourlong traffic jam when both southbound lanes were blocked north of Orlando. There is plenty of land in the median to widen the turnpike.

Robert Mack, Tamarac

A: Although the northernmost leg of Florida's Turnpike between Orlando and I-75 is busy on football weekends and during holidays, normal traffic volumes don't justify widening this stretch to six lanes — at least for now.

"We do plan to do some interchange improvements at the I-75 merge in the future — probably about six or seven years out," turnpike spokeswoman Christa Deason said.

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In Palm Beach County, the turnpike widening began in 2000.

Segments from Glades Road to Atlantic Avenue and from Atlantic to the Lantana toll plaza are finished.

The next phase from Lantana to Lake Worth Road is set to begin next year, followed by Lake Worth to Okeechobee Boulevard in 2011 and Okeechobee to PGA Boulevard in 2018.

Q: One of the two left turn lanes from Riverside Drive to Wiles Road, in Coral Springs, is not being used. At rush hour, traffic in the single left-turn lane backs up, and drivers can wait through three light changes before they can make the turn. What would it take to open the additional left turn lane already there?

Lewis Mienheartt, Coral Springs

A: Broward County officials say traffic volumes have not reached the threshold to open the second left turn lane.

Dual left turn lanes sound enticing, but they actually are more restrictive in terms of when you can make left turns, said Andrew Sebo, traffic operations engineer for Broward County.

With a single left-turn lane, drivers are allowed to make left turns on a green arrow. After the arrow disappears, the signal turns green for through traffic. Drivers can still make left turns after yielding to oncoming traffic.

When the county opens the second left turn lane, the intersection will get a green arrow followed by red, because it is safer for motorists.

Q: When will the missing link in Wiles Road be completed between Lyons Road, in Coconut Creek, and Powerline Road, in Deerfield Beach?

Ron Masloff, Deerfield Beach

A: Next summer.

Construction includes a bridge over the turnpike but no interchange.

Q: Over the past week or so, the parking lot at Tri-Rail's Lake Worth station has been full. The parking lot is huge, but more than half is fenced off and unusable. It hasn't been a problem until the recent spike in Tri-Rail's ridership. Is this a temporary situation or will the rest of the parking lot be opened sometime soon?

Dave Carruthers, Wellington

A: That portion of the lot is reserved for Lake Worth High School.

Tri-Rail officials are working with the school to secure additional spaces for commuters.