WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- It'll be a few years before construction begins, but a traffic headache will be coming to I-95 in West Palm Beach that could last a year or two.
FDOT is looking to re-work the interchange at I-95 and Southern Boulevard.
The Southern Boulevard on and off ramps to and from I-95 can get busy during rush hour, and planners with FDOT say they want to get ahead of the problem.
"We're going to look at improvements that would be able to handle the 2040 traffic," said FDOT project manager Anson Sonnett.
Right now, FDOT has three potential plans that include adding flyovers, additional exit lanes, and wider bike lanes.
Anyone who lives, works, or drives in this area is asked to attend a public meeting Thursday evening to give input on the designs. Sonnett says major construction plans are never popular, but that the interchange needs a makeover and public input is necessary.
"It's not as if the traffic won't come if we don't build it," Sonnett said. "It's a question of 'do you want all of this traffic sitting there every day, or do you want people to be able to get through the interchange and out of your hair,' if you're a local resident."
Construction on the project will likely begin in 2024.
FDOT is estimating that it could cost close to $60 million.
FDOT's public meeting on the project will be held Thursday, December 1st from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Palm Beach Airport Hilton located at 150 Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach.
For more information visit the project's website at http://www.i95atsouthern.com/
