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The Florida Department of Transportation is in the process of testing important tolling and technology equipment along 95 Express in Miami-Dade County.  During testing activities you may notice:

  • lane closures, including closure of the express lanes
  • toll rates on the signs

For the most part the lane closures will take place during non-peak times.  Tolls, while displayed on the signs, will not be collected during this test period.  The display of the toll is part of the testing of the equipment and communications.

Toll collection will begin no earlier  than one week after testing is complete.  The testing period is anticipated to be completed towards the end of October 2008.  A follow up email will be provided once the exact date of tolling is determined.

The toll for SunPass customers will vary based on congestion pricing , so it will be higher during peak periods when many vehicles are using the express lanes, and lower during non-peak periods when demand is lessThe rate will be clearly displayed on electronic message signs before drivers need to make their decision.  The system is designed so drivers will not be charged more than the rate on the signs just before entering.

Tolls are expected to be between $0.25 and $2.65 under average traffic conditions. But in unusual circumstances of very extreme conditions, tolls could be up to  $6.20  in order to provide operating speeds of between 45 – 50 MPH and offer trip reliability to those who choose to use the express lanes.

 Please be courteous, cautious, patient, remain calm
and obey the rules of the road.

Title about 95 Express
  • The former High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane and the newly created Express Lanes are now for long distance trips ONLY.
  • Once you enter the new Express Lanes
    • You cannot exit until the end
    • You cannot cut through the lane markers (delineators) to break out before Golden Glades.
  • If you find yourself in the Express Lanes by accident, remain calm. 
    RIDE THROUGH to the Golden Glades Interchange.
  • If you get confused, DO NOT STOP at any time whether in the general purpose or Express Lanes.
  • Weaving in and out of the Express Lanes is illegal. Drivers who do
    • Could cause crashes
    • Will be subject to fines and incur points on their licenses.
  • Be alert and pay attention to all advisories, signage, pavement markings and posted speed limits.
  • Tolling on the Express Lanes will begin soon.
  • If you are involved in an accident or experience a car breakdown in the Express Lanes, pull to the left shoulder if you are able and dial *FHP (*347) on your cellphone. An operator will assist you and dispatch help. Wait in your vehicle with the doors locked. Do not stand behind your car or next to the lane of moving traffic.
  • For more information about the purpose of the new 95 Express program and how it works call 1-877-95X-FDOT or 1-877-959 -3368

FDOT is confident that with the improved driver information and with increasing familiarity of the public the Express Lanes will operate smoothly.

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Title about 95 Express

What is 95 Express?
95 Express will introduce express lanes and Bus Rapid Transit service to reduce congestion on I-95 from I-395 in downtown Miami to Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.

How will 95 Express operate?

95 Express will operate as High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes, separated from regular traffic lanes, that drivers can choose to use when their time is more valuable than the toll they might pay. Tolls will fluctuate, the goal being to keep traffic in the lanes moving at a speed of approximately 50 miles per hour. Emergency vehicles, registered vanpools, registered carpools of 3+, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles can use the lanes without paying a toll. Buses of several types can also use the lanes toll free -- Miami-Dade and Broward County express and regular transit, public school and over-the-road. Trucks will not be allowed to use the express lanes.


Computer Rendering of 95 Express Lanes

image of future 95 Express lanes

Why use 95 Express
The project will provide a new choice for consistent and dependable travel conditions during rush hour. South of the Golden Glades Interchange, I-95 carries over 290,000 vehicles per day, with traffic volumes expected to exceed 360,000 vehicles per day by year 2030. It is cost prohibitive to widen the corridor, so congestion management strategies must be explored.

Project Overview
95 Express is one of several FDOT operational improvements designed to reduce congestion and make I-95 a better experience for drivers, residents, and transit users alike. Ultimately, 95 Express will create more travel options and encourage use of public transportation and carpooling. The goal is to keep traffic moving at a speed of approximately 50 miles per hour, while offering transit riders a seamless connection between Miami-Dade and Broward Counties on 95 Express buses. Even drivers not using 95 Express will see improved travel times and conditions in the existing general purpose lanes.

About 95 Express Project - Video
Click Here to View

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Title - Who can use 95 Express

Emergency vehicles, registered vanpools, registered carpools of 3 or more passengers, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles can use the lanes without paying a toll. Buses of several types can also use the lanes toll free -- Miami-Dade and Broward County express and regular transit, public school and over-the-road. Trucks will not be allowed to use the express lanes. Vanpools, carpools and hybrids can register their vehicles with South Florida Commuter Services. 

Other vehicles can use 95 Express by paying a toll with SunPass. The amount will be clearly posted on overhead signs. Because the tolls will be collected electronically, toll-paying drivers will need to own and display a SunPass transponder which can be purchased at Publix, CVS Pharmacies or Turnpike service plazas. Click here to purchase a SunPass transponder.

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Entry/Exit Points Title

Phase 1 Entry and Exits Diagram                              Final Entry and Exits Diagram
Entry and Exit Map
                       Final Entry and Exit Points

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Title - Registratio Process

Registration for non-toll paying users of 95 Express is through South Florida Commuter Services (SFCS), the regional commuter assistance program funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Vehicles that can register to use the lanes at no charge are 3+ passenger carpools, hybrids and South Florida Vanpools..

3+ Carpool Registration - Carpools eligible for registration must have at least three commuters traveling to and from work in one vehicle. Each will be provided a 95 Express decal that will allow them to use the 95 Express lanes and take turns driving without incurring toll charges. The registration process is as follows:

Step 1:  Registrants can visit the SFCS website at
www.1800234ride.com or call 1-800-234-RIDE to register for the
program

Step 2:  SFCS will send out the appropriate 95 Express
registration form. It requests: name, home address, work address, home/work phone numbers, work schedule, driver’s license number, license plate number and state of registration.

All carpool participants must sign the carpool registration form prior to submitting it to SFCS acknowledging that the information provided is accurate. Personal information including home address and home phone number submitted to SFCS will only be used to register a carpool, then to provide 95 Express information and a decal. Personal information will be kept confidential and is only accessible to SFCS and SunPass.

Participants planning to use their personal vehicles for the carpool will be required to provide their driver’s license numbers and tag information; those who are just riders in the carpool need only provide their home/work information. Carpool participants can request no more than one decal per individual. The 3+ 95 Express Decal is valid for six months.

Two reminders to renew their registrations with SFCS will be sent to carpool participants. If their decals are not renewed, participants will be placed in “inactive status” and SunPass will be notified to remove their license plates from the eligible list. If at least three other participants continue their registrations, the carpool will still be considered active.

Hybrid Registration - An Inherently Low Emissions Vehicle (ILEV) or a Hybrid vehicle is defined as a vehicle which is included in the eligibility list provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  SFCS in conjunction with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will inform registered High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) users about the 95 Express Lanes registration process for hybrid vehicles.  A letter will be distributed to all current HOV decal registrants in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties notifying them that they are requested to register their hybrid vehicle with SFCS which will allow them to use the 95 Express lanes without incurring a toll.  Also enclosed with this letter will be a Hybrid Vehicle Registration Form for owners to complete in order for them to receive the 95 Express decal for hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid vehicle drivers will be sent a yearly renewal based on anniversary date of initial request.  A registrant will be provided two reminders to renew their registration with SFCS.  If a registrant does not renew following the second renewal notice, SFCS will notify Sunpass and inactivate the profile of the user.

South Florida Vanpool Information -  A South Florida Vanpool is a van carrying five to fifteen passengers who commute together. Registration is through the South Florida Vanpool Program managed by the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization with coordination from the Metropolitan Planning Organizations of Broward and Palm Counties.

South Florida Vanpools will use 95 Express for commuting purposes only. A 95 Express decal will remain active as long as the South Florida Vanpool continues to be part of the South Florida Vanpool program

NOTE:
If you wish to use 95 Express without your carpool partners, you will be required to have a SunPass transponder in your vehicle and pay the toll with it. If you currently have a SunPass transponder and are using the 95 Express lanes with your carpool partners, you must remove the transponder from the windshield and place it in the silver shield bag. If you have a SunPass Mini tag, use the tag disabler shield. It is your responsibility to properly shield the transponder when your carpool passengers are with you, or the tolls will be charged to your pre-paid SunPass account. 

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Title - Bus Rapid Transit Information

A major component of 95 Express will be the implementation of expanded and new Express/Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services that will provide a seamless connection without transfers for commuters riding the bus between Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

The Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Broward County Transit (BCT) are proposing a Bus Rapid Transit system on US 441/SR 7, a corridor which presently has a bus route running to the I-95 Golden Glades Park-n-Ride lot in northern Miami-Dade. Currently, riders transfer at this location to Miami-Dade Transit 95 Express buses, which provide service to downtown Miami on the congested I-95 HOV lanes. With the introduction of BRT and the implementation of 95 Express, there will be no need to transfer at the Golden Glades and commuting time will be cut in half, which could have the effect of putting twice as many buses on the road.

Five additional bus routes and up to 23 new, low emission buses are included in the 95 Express operational strategy and will originate from a number of locations in Broward and southern Palm Beach County. Three of these routes will provide direct express service to downtown Miami, making use of the existing HOV lanes at first and ultimately on the express lanes. Two will provide express bus service on existing east-west arterial roadways of Broward and Palm Beach counties. All routes would benefit from signal priority treatments to reduce signal wait times for buses and improve travel times along several major north-south and east-west routes. The overall impact of the new services will be reduced levels of traffic congestion, increased travel speeds, increased safety, and reduced travel time.

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Title - Tolling

image of express lane toll signThe toll rates on the express lanes will vary for vehicles that do not qualify for a toll exemption. Those vehicles that can use the lanes without paying a toll are registered vanpools, registered carpools of 3+, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles. Buses of several types can also use the lanes toll free -- Miami-Dade and Broward County express and regular transit, public school and over-the-road. Trucks will not be allowed to use the express lanes even by paying a toll.

The toll will fluctuate throughout the day to keep 95 Express from becoming congested with vehicles. The variable toll is based on congestion pricing, which means the toll goes up or down depending on the traffic volume. The toll will be higher during peak periods when demand is greater and lower during non-peak periods when the demand is less. This congestion pricing keeps traffic flowing freely by monitoring the number of vehicles accessing the express lanes. If travel speeds in 95 Express lanes start to slow and fall below 50 miles per hour, the toll will increase to maintain a free flowing condition.

Tolls will vary and are likely to be between 25¢ and $2.50 from the Golden Glades Interchange to downtown Miami.

Motorists choosing to stay in regular lanes and not pay a toll should also experience some relief when others decide to use the express lanes. State-of-the-art tolling technology will be used to apply variable tolls for congestion pricing, and to communicate real-time information to users on tolls and traffic.

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Title - Violations/ Enformcement

All vehicles not eligible for toll exemption must display a SunPass transponder, and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise Violation Enforcement System will electronically monitor traffic. Drivers without transponders will have their license plates photographed and receive an Unpaid Toll Notice (UTN) for failing to pay a toll. Failure to resolve the UTN will result in a Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC).

Enforcement of the 3+ person occupancy rule is done by Florida Highway Patrol. Enforcement beacons mounted on the gantry structures will alert troopers patrolling the lanes when a vehicle without a transponder has passed underneath the gantry. The vehicle could be a 95 Express violator if it does not meet the occupancy requirements.   
Drivers of vehicles qualifying for toll exemption -- registered vanpools, 3+ registered carpools, registered hybrid vehicles and motorcycles -- are responsible for shielding their SunPass transponders. Drivers with hard case transponders will need to shield them in a protective bag. Those with SunPass Minis will need to place a disabler over them .  If the transponder is not properly shielded, the toll rate in effect will be deducted from the user’s pre-paid SunPass account.   

Click here for more Toll Violation Enforcement Information

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Title -  Ramp Signaling
Ramp Signal image

Ramp Signals are traffic lights that improve traffic flow by controlling the rate at which vehicles merge onto an expressway from an entrance ramp.
When Phase 1A of 95 Express becomes operational, Ramp Signals will be activated between northbound NW 62 Street and the Golden Glades Interchange.

How Does Ramp Signaling Work?

The signals alternate between red and green lights, so drivers must wait for a green light before entering the interstate, one car at a time. Some drivers will wait slightly longer. Traffic, however, will flow much smoother and speeds will increase, allowing most people to experience an overall reduction in travel time.

Enforcement of Ramp Signaling will occur as part of the 95 Express program.  If a driver runs the light, they can be charged with “failure to obey a traffic control device.”

Click here for Ramp Signaling FAQs (PDF)

Click here for Ramp Signaling Flyer (PDF)

More information on Ramp Signaling, Click here


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Title - Other States with express tolls

Map showing all of the states with Express Lanes

The 95 Express reflects a growing national trend where urban areas are converting High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes into HOT (High Occupancy Toll) facilities. The concept has been very successful in other metropolitan areas throughout the country including:

 
91 Express Lanes:
http://www.91expresslanes.com/
91 Express Lanes is a four-lane, 10-mile toll road built in the median of California's Riverside Freeway (State Route 91) between the Orange/Riverside County line and the Costa Mesa Freeway (State Route 55).
I-25 Express:
http://www.dot.state.co.us/cte/expresslanes.cfm
These Express Lanes include seven miles of the I-25 HOV lanes between downtown Denver and US 36.
I-394 MnPASS Express Lanes:
http://www.mnpass.org/

MnPASS Express Lanes on I-394 opened in May 2005 between downtown Minneapolis and the western suburbs.


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Home sub menu- roll overs for Link to "Other States with Express Tolls" on this page Link to "Ramp signaling" information on this page Link to "about 95 Express" information on this page Link to "Tolling" information on this page Link to "Bus Rapid Transit" information on the page Link to "Registration Process" process information on this page Link to "Violations/Enforcement" information Link to "who can us 95 Express" information on this page



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