The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Six, will host a Public Hearing to discuss the PD&E Study along SR 826/Palmetto Expressway from SR 5/US 1/S Dixie Highway to NW 25th Street in Miami-Dade County.

The Hearing will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026
Virtual and In-Person
6 p.m.
enVision Hotel Miami International Airport
7250 NW 11th Street
Miami, FL 33126

To RSVP, please use the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/Dwf68VheyS.

To participate virtually from your computer, tablet or smartphone please register using the following link: 
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2424081644176493147.

Participants can also call in by dialing +1 (213) 929-4212 and enter phone conference ID 635-422-518.

The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. with a formal presentation followed by a public comment period. Virtual attendees will be able to ask or submit comments or questions during the public comment period. The hearing will be held simultaneously in person and virtually.

The study is focused on addressing existing and future traffic needs, improving travel time reliability, enhancing safety, and providing long-term mobility options along the corridor. The purpose of this hearing is to present the preferred alternative to the public. This hearing is an opportunity to learn about the project, become familiar with the study process, and provide feedback.

Persons desiring to submit written comments in place of or in addition to oral statements, may do so at the meeting or by sending them to the FDOT Project Manager, Raul Quintela P.E., at the Florida Department of Transportation,1000 NW 111th Avenue, Room 6251, Miami, Florida 33172, or via email at Raul.Quintela@dot.state.fl.us.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion,disability, or family status. Persons who require special accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Raul Quintela, P.E., FDOT Project Manager at least (7) days prior to the hearing.

JOIN US FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2424081644176493147

Background

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Six, is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for State Road (SR) 826/Palmetto Expressway from US 1/SR 5/Dixie Highway to NW 25th Street, a distance of approximately eight miles (see Project Study Area below) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The PD&E Study proposes corridor improvements that will add additional lanes to the corridor and enhance interchange operations. Intersection improvements are also being evaluated along the cross streets to facilitate ramp modifications and improve the access and connectivity of the interchanges. The study is evaluating the social, economic, physical, and environmental impacts associated with the potential improvements. SR 826 from US 1 to NW 25th Street is the final segment of a larger capacity project for the SR 826 corridor. The northern segment, which extends from NW 25th Street to I-75, was recently constructed. When completing this last southern segment of SR 826, this regional system will greatly improve operations, safety, connectivity, and peak-hour travel times.

PROJECT STUDY AREA 

Purpose and Need

The need for this project is to add lanes to the SR 826 corridor to meet future transportation demand, improve travel time reliability and to provide long-term mobility options. Other considerations for the Purpose and Need of this project include safety, system linkage, freight movement and emergency evacuation.

The overall goals and objectives of the PD&E Study are described below:

• Evaluate corridor improvements that will add lanes to the corridor and interchanges.
• Evaluate the implementation of potential interchange and intersection improvements that will improve capacity, operations, safety, mobility, and emergency evacuation.
• Provide relief from existing and projected traffic congestion.
• Improve the safety of the SR 826 mainline corridor by addressing speed differentials and lane weaving deficiencies between interchanges.
• Support the optimal operations of the existing roadway network.

Alternatives Analysis

The objective of this PD&E Study is to evaluate alternatives that will address existing and projected operating deficiencies along this section of SR 826. Multiple alternatives have been considered to keep up with the growing traffic demand within the study area, including a No-Build Alternative that maintains the existing roadway configuration and any other planned improvements along the corridor. The PD&E Study evaluated the following four alternatives:

• Alternative 1 – Adds an additional travel lane in each direction.
• Alternative 3 – Adds an un-tolled managed lane (free of charge) in each direction. Managed lanes are an innovative solution to manage traffic congestion and provide choices for travelers with restricted access points to separate short trips from long trips.
• Alternative 4 – Extends existing express lanes south to SR 874 with access points and tolls to manage traffic.  Adds an additional travel lane between US 1 and SR 874.
• Alternative 4A- Adds an additional travel lane in each direction between US 1 and SR 836 and add an express lane in each direction between SR 874 and SR 836.

Schedule and Future Phases

• Alternatives Public Workshop – November 6, 2025
• Public Hearing – March 2, 2026
• Location Design Concept Acceptance (End of the PD&E Study) – June 2026
• Design – Fiscal Year 2027
• Right of Way – Partially Funded
• Construction – Unfunded

FDOT Partners with Public in Study

FDOT developed a public involvement program as part of this PD&E Study. The public involvement process is designed to ensure public input in the development of project alternatives by actively encouraging and facilitating the involvement of the general public, citizens, interested groups, elected and appointed officials, environmental resource agencies, and other stakeholders. Opportunities to comment include communication with project staff and attending public meetings. Several public meetings have been held since the beginning of the PD&E Study. You can view the meeting materials on the Archived Documents section of the web page.

The Final Design phase for this project is partially funded. Construction is not currently funded.