DATE: September 13, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe
Public Information Manager, Broward County Commission
PHONE: 954-357-8053
EMAIL: kmaroe@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - It's no longer the "end of the road" at Pembroke Road and I-75 in the cities of Miramar and Pembroke Pines! On Saturday, Broward celebrates the opening of the Pembroke Road/I-75 overpass, connecting the east and west over I-75 in the two Cities. The bridge provides additional choices for drivers and will alleviate traffic on Miramar Parkway and Pines Blvd in southwest Broward County.
"This project will alleviate traffic congestion by thousands of cars per hour during peak hours on Miramar Parkway and Pines Boulevard. Additionally, the County agreed to place the infrastructure for a future traffic signal at Silver Shores Boulevard once traffic flow increases, saving the two cities approximately $75,000 and installation time. The Pembroke Road Overpass came to fruition because of the hard work and compromise between the County and Cities of Pembroke Pines and Miramar. September 17th will be a great day and I am thrilled to have been a part of such a fantastic project," said Broward County Vice Mayor Barbara Sharief.
The Pembroke Road/I-75 Overpass Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony takes place on Saturday, September 17th at 9: 00 a.m. at the bridge overpass. This family fun event will kickoff at 7:00 a.m. with a 5K Walk/Run. The charity walk/run is open to the public and those interested in participating can register here. Proceeds will benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation. A number of community vendors will be providing food and activities.
The one mile stretch of roadway is a collaborative effort between Broward County, the Florida Department of Transportation and Miramar and Pembroke Pines. Broward County administered the design and construction of the approaches to the bridge on both sides of I-75 at a cost of $16 Million and an additional $4 Million to share in costs of the bridge structure built by FDOT. Broward County will maintain the bridge structure.
The four-lane divided bridge is pedestrian and cyclist friendly and safe, featuring inside and outside shoulders, bike lanes and sidewalks and safety features including lighting and bridge fencing.
"From the standpoint of any community, building bridges carries great symbolic weight. Now, Pembroke Road will no longer end to the west and to the east of I-75. Commuters coming from further west, now have more choices for how to reach their destinations, and those communities on either side no longer need to feel like they live at the end of the road. I look forward to seeing the growth of more infrastructure, and building more bridges in the years to come," said Commissioner Beam Furr.
Funding for the roadway was obtained through the County Constitutional gas tax fund, in conjunction with a 50% reimbursement from FDOT through the County Incentive Grant Program monies. Pembroke Pines and Miramar also contributed funds and will split ownership of the roadway. Pembroke Pines will have jurisdiction of the northern half and Miramar, the southern half.