TRANSPORTATION

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began a roadway improvement project on October 8, 2023, along SR 5/US 1/Overseas Highway, in Monroe County.

The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph from approximately

Mile Marker (MM) 20.5 to MM 23, and from MM 26.2 to MM26.7. 

Please use caution when driving, walking, or biking around any construction zone.

WORK TO BE PERFORMED

SR 5/US 1/Overseas Highway from MM 19.4 to MM 19.8, MM 20.6 to MM 23.1:

• Repaving and restriping the roadway SR 5/US 1/Overseas Highway and the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
• Raising the roadway  
• Improving the guardrail
• Upgrading signage and pavement markings
• Widening the roadway shoulders in some areas  
• Improving drainage at isolated locations
• Trimming the mangroves encroaching the roadway

SR 5/US 1/Overseas Highway from MM 26.2 to MM 27.4:

• Repaving and restriping the roadway SR 5/US 1/Overseas Highway and the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
• Raising the roadway
• Reconstructing the shared use path
• Improving the guardrails
• Upgrading all vehicular signage and pavement markings
• Enhancing pedestrian signage
• Installing special emphasis crosswalk markings at the trail crossings
• Adjusting manholes

LANE CLOSURE INFORMATION

• No daytime lane closures or detours at this time. However, there are currently three areas with lane shifts.
• The dedicated southbound left turn lane at Drost Dr. is temporarily closed (between Mile Marker 20 and Mile Marker 21). Southbound traffic is shifted into the center turning lane, and a single travel lane in each direction remains open.
• Southbound traffic shifts into the center of the road at approximately MM 22.6, and a single travel lane in each direction remains open. During this lane shift near MM 22.6, additional access to businesses located between Cutthroat Drive and Pirates Road will be available via La Fitte Drive. This alternative route is marked with directional signage to use Cutthroat Drive to La Fitte Drive.
• From the north end of Niles Channel Bridge, approximately MM 26.2, to Mako Avenue at MM 26.7, there is a lane shift and width reduction to accommodate the temporary Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail detour in this area. 
• Mondays through Thursdays, from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., one travel lane will be closed for paving activities on SR 5/US 1/Overseas Highway. These nighttime operations will move in sections throughout the project limits. Flaggers will stop traffic in one direction to allow traffic from the opposite direction to pass. One lane will be open to traffic at all times.
• Additional travel lanes may be closed only during non-peak hours on non-event days. Non-peak hours are: 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday nights.