New Direct Connection Interchange between Turnpike and I-95 at SE Bridge Rd.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (Enterprise) is conducting a PD&E Study for a new interchange along Florida’s Turnpike (SR 91) in Martin County, Florida. The project will evaluate the addition of a new system-to-system interchange between Florida’s Turnpike and Interstate 95 (I-95/SR 9) in the vicinity of the I-95/SE Bridge Road interchange.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (Enterprise) is conducting a PD&E Study for a new interchange along Florida’s Turnpike (SR 91) in Martin County, Florida. The project will evaluate the addition of a new system-to-system interchange between Florida’s Turnpike and Interstate 95 (I-95/SR 9) in the vicinity of the I-95/SE Bridge Road interchange.

Noise Studies will be performed as part of this PD&E study in the fall of 2024.

Click here to see the Turnpike Traffic Noise video.

The Florida’s Turnpike (SR 91) within the project area consists of a four-lane limited access toll facility, two lanes in each direction. However, the recently completed Florida’s Turnpike Widening PD&E study (FPID: 423374-1) calls for the Turnpike from Jupiter (Indiantown Road/SR 706) to Ft. Pierce (Okeechobee Road/SR 70) to be widened to an eight-lane facility, four lanes in each direction, throughout the project study area. The posted speed limit along Florida’s Turnpike is 70 miles per hour (MPH).

I-95 within the project area consists of a six-lane limited access roadway, three lanes in each direction. The I-95 Multimodal Master Plan – Treasure Coast (FPID: 436577-1) recommends I-95 be widened to an eight-lane facility, consisting of three general purpose lanes and one managed lane, throughout the project study area. The posted speed limit along I-95 is 70 MPH.

The purpose of this PD&E study is to develop and evaluate alternative designs for a new system-to-system interchange between Florida’s Turnpike and I-95 at the SE Bridge Road crossing.

The purpose of this interchange is to:

• Improve system linkage
• Improve traffic operations and travel time reliability
• Enhance safety
• Enhance emergency response and evacuation

During the PD&E study, multiple opportunities will be scheduled for the community to provide input. The PD&E study will include analysis of the No-Build Alternative (which will result in no improvements to the study area, if selected).

The project limits for the study include:

• The area along the Turnpike extends approximately 2 miles north and south from the SE Bridge Road crossing over the Turnpike
• The area along I-95 extends approximately 2 miles north and south from the SE Bridge Road crossing under I-95
• The area between the Turnpike and I-95 within these roadway limits

In this PD&E study, the study will examine the existing environmental conditions across the Social, Cultural, Natural and Physical Environments, so that the potential impacts of various project alternatives can be analyzed. The Social Environment in the project area consists of rural agricultural and commercial lands, including improved pasture, row crops, the Hobe Sound Farmers Market and plant nurseries. There are planned residential developments within adjacent areas. Within the Natural Environment, there is potential habitat for multiple listed species of plants and animals as well as wetlands. There are relatively few sensitive noise receptors due to the rural nature of the project area. The project crosses multiple basins and surface waters that may flow north towards the St. Lucie River or south towards the Loxahatchee River, depending on location.

As part of the PD&E study, concepts will be developed and refined to meet the 2050 design year transportation needs. The concepts will be presented at an Alternatives Public Information Meeting for the public to provide feedback. The project team will review the feedback and refine the concepts. A Public Hearing will then be scheduled to present the recommended concepts to the public for feedback. Comments from the Public Hearing will be considered, and the study will be finalized.

Daniel Jimenez