The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Astaldi Construction Corp. and the City of Boca Raton held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, February 28 at 10 a.m., to mark the opening of the new I-95 southbound exit ramp to Spanish River Boulevard and the new I-95 northbound entrance ramp from Spanish River Boulevard in Boca Raton. These ramps are part of a new $69 million interchange project which will relieve congestion at the Glades Road and Yamato Road interchanges as well as provide direct access to Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Palm Beach State College and FAU Stadium and easier access to commuter students traveling to Lynn University located directly off Spanish River on Military Trail.
The project also includes construction of 13 bridges between Spanish River Boulevard and Yamato Road, widening of Spanish River Boulevard west of FAU Boulevard, the addition of auxiliary lanes on Yamato Road, revetment & realignment of the El Rio Canal, construction of two underpasses along the El Rio Trail, and installation of sound walls along the east side of I-95 north of Yamato Road. Construction began in January 2014.
Dignitaries from FDOT, Federal Highway Administration, City of Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College made brief remarks about the project and the impact it will have for drivers in the Boca Raton area prior to the ribbon cutting.
The ramps are now open to traffic however, paving projects will continue through March. Paving activities will be ongoing along the Spanish River Boulevard, I-95, and Yamato Road corridors. Due to the high volume of travelers during the day time, the paving will take place at night from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m.
PLEASE NOTE:
The El Rio Trail Bike/Pedestrian Trail is currently finishing revetment activities along the north side of the canal north of Yamato. The trail is fully poured, but the trail cannot safely open the area to pedestrians until heavy machinery is cleared out and final inspections are complete. FDOT is anticipating 3-4 weeks for this to be completed, weather permitting.
For more information on paving activities, please visit the City of Boca Raton Current and Upcoming Projects page.
For additional project information, please visit the Florida Department of Transportation I-95 Interchange at Spanish River Boulevard web page.
