MARTIN COUNTY — Deaths and injuries are expected to be averted if state officials decide to connect Interstate 95 and Florida's Turnpike at Southeast Bridge Road.
Nearly 1,300 crashes occurred from 2018 to 2022 on Florida's Turnpike between Southwest Martin Downs Boulevard in Palm City and West Indiantown Road in Jupiter. More than 2,600 occurred over the same period on I-95 between Southwest High Meadow Avenue and West Indiantown Road in Jupiter.
Those crashes resulted in over 1,000 injures and 22 deaths.
"The crash history is insane," said Scott Olson, a Hobe Sound resident, adding that he's in favor of the project if it helps with safety.
The loss of life and the injuries, state transportation officials said, have an economic loss equal to $482 million, which also could be reduced by the project.
Details of the potential project
The Florida Department of Transportation held an in-person meeting Thursday at the Stuart campus of Indian River State College to present the two construction alternatives state officials are studying.
Both would allow motorists to travel between northbound I-95 and the northbound Turnpike. Both also would allow drivers to travel between southbound I-95 to the southbound Turnpike.
One plan is estimated to cost $231 million, while the other is expected to cost $156 million.
Both are expected to reduce traffic at the Turnpike and Indiantown Road interchange by 37% and at the I-95 and Indiantown Road interchange by 16%. Traffic at Martin Highway/Florida's Turnpike interchange is expected to ease by 8% due to the project.
Thursday's meeting was meant to solicit public feedback before officials select a preferred alternative.
A consideration
Zach Gazza, owner of the Hobe Sound Farmers Market on Bridge Road, would like to see an interchange built so drivers can exit and enter the Turnpike from Bridge Road.
"Indiantown is growing," he said. "Hobe Sound is growing."
New homes are being built in Indiantown, he said, and apartments and condominiums in Hobe Sound. He thinks a connection between Bridge Road and the Turnpike will alleviate traffic congestion in Palm City and at the Indiantown Road interchanges with the Turnpike and I-95.
Such a connection is not in the Florida Department of Transportation's plans because of design and safety concerns, officials have said.
Olson would prefer the department's plans stay that way. He's concerned about growth and development and thinks an interchange with Bridge Road would bring added traffic. to the area. But he also recognizes it would be more convenient for some.
But, Gazza said, the traffic is already there with the current entry and exit ramps to Bridge Road to and from I-95.
Next steps
Public input was also sought during a virtual meeting Wednesday.
The next step is to identify a preferred alternative, which is expected to be done in the third quarter of 2024, followed by a public hearing on the selection in the second quarter of 2025. The study could be completed by the third quarter of 2025.
More: If turnpike, I-95 are connected, can't Bridge Road connect, too, commissioners ask
More: $231 million project would connect Interstate 95, Florida's Turnpike in Martin County
The project is also expected to reduce the time it takes for first responders to tend to emergencies on the two highways. And it's expected to reduce the time it takes residents and visitors to evacuate in an emergency such as a hurricane.
Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com or at 720-288-6882.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: FDOT: Deaths, injuries could be averted if I-95 and Turnpike are connected in Martin County
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