I-95 southbound exit to FAU opens
FAU President John Kelly and Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie were among the ribbon cutting ceremony guests.
The view coming off the new I-95 southbound exit that will lead drivers either west or east on Spanish River Boulevard or toward FAU and FAU Stadium. Alexander Rodriguez | Photo Editor
March 3, 2018
Editor’s Note | March. 4, 2018: A previous version of this story stated that, “after four years of construction and 18 months behind schedule, drivers can now exit both directions of I-95 at Spanish River Boulevard.” FDOT originally estimated the project would be complete in late 2016, but weather days and supplemental agreements added nearly 16 months to the contract time.
After four years of construction, drivers can now exit both directions of I-95 at Spanish River Boulevard.
The new southbound highway exit allows commuters direct access to FAU’s northern entrance. The rest of the $69 million project will be completed in the next couple of months, according to project spokeswoman Andrea Pacini.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) held a ribbon cutting ceremony alongside FAU President John Kelly and Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie to mark the official opening.
“We worked collaboratively with FDOT to prioritize the funding of this interchange. This will alleviate congestion on Glades Road as well provide direct access to FAU,” Haynie said.
Originally, drivers en route to the Boca campus were forced to exit I-95 southbound at Glades Road. This route created major congestion during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
City officials began proposing the idea for a new interchange since the early 1990s. It wasn’t until 2014 that construction broke ground.
The first segment of the interchange opened in September last year, allowing commuters on I-95 northbound to enter FAU at Spanish River Boulevard.
“For us as a university this is a redefining of the institution,” President Kelly said. “Now we will have a major northern entrance.”
One commuter student said he believes this new exit will relieve traffic on Glades Roads.
“Having a new exit especially with so much traffic flow coming from both north and south will always be beneficial,” said Juan Torres, a multimedia studies major.
The remaining two ramps left to open is the Yamato Road eastbound to entrance ramp to Spanish River Boulevard and Spanish River Boulevard to Yamato Road.
Alexander Rodriguez is the news editor of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet @AARodriguezz93
