REPAIR PROJECT CLOSES NORTHBOUND LANE OF U.S. 1 BETWEEN KEY LARGO AND FLORIDA CITY; USE CARD SOUND ROAD

FLORIDA KEYS -- Repairs to sections of “The 18-mile Stretch” between mile markers (MM) 106 and 126 closed the northbound lanes of that road as of Thursday, June 18, and the closures are expected to continue for up to four weeks, according to officials at the Florida Department of Transportation.

“The Stretch” is a segment of U.S. Highway 1 that connects the South Florida mainland to the Florida Keys.

During closures, northbound traffic is to be rerouted to Card Sound Road (a secondary route between the mainland and the Keys) and the normal $1 toll is to be suspended for northbound traffic only. Traditionally, using Card Sound Road as an alternate route requires an additional 15 minutes of travel time, however motorists should plan for longer delays on Sundays (especially afternoon and evening) when traffic exiting the Keys is much heavier.

Southbound traffic will continue to flow as usual on “The Stretch,” officials said.

DOT officials said even if the work was not completed, northbound lanes would reopen to traffic Friday, July 3, and remain open through Sunday, July 5. Work, if needed, would resume Monday, July 6, and the detour could be in effect through July 16.

Officials said that residents and business personnel that reside between MM 106 in Key Largo and MM 113 should use northbound Card Sound Road to gain access to U.S. 1 on the mainland. Residents and businesses located from MM 113 to MM 126 in Florida City will have access to northbound U.S. 1 as usual.

Emergency services personnel and permitted wide-load vehicles will be provided access to the U.S. 1 northbound lane as needed, officials said.