A proposed road-widening project and elevated express lane that would bypass a key portion of Florida Cityâs commercial corridor and connect the Florida Turnpike to U.S. 1 just before the 18-Mile Stretch is garnering opposition from business leaders both on the mainland and in the island chain.
The Florida Department of Transportation began a study in 2017 to evaluate the future traffic needs of the region and determined a need to widen a 3-mile portion of U.S. 1 in the next few years based on traffic projections for 2045.
The project would begin on U.S. 1 at its intersection with S.W. 344th St. and end on the Turnpike near N.W. 8th St. But Brian Conesa, of the Tropical Everglades Visitor Association in Florida City, said âall businesses here are in oppositionâ to the project.