Florida

[The Ghostbuster]

Yes, the photos are definitely registering now.

[Revive 755]

That's what I've seen. However, I've recently seen a growing number of 3R projects where there is a blanket reduction, such as:
- I-4 near Lakeland (70 to 60)
- US-98 East Lake Okeechobee (55 to 45)
- SR-26 between Orange Heights and Melrose (60 to 55)
- I-295 between SR-21 and I-10 (65 to 55, now complete)

These were drops that applied 24/7 regardless of whether there were workers present.

Be thankful FDOT isn't like Illinois where there are/have been multiple occurrences of 70 to 45 24/7 without narrow lanes, sometimes for over 10 miles.

As for the advance reduction - possibly something done in anticipation of stopped/backed-up traffic?

[sprjus4]

As for the advance reduction - possibly something done in anticipation of stopped/backed-up traffic?

Maybe? But it still doesn't make any sense, at all. That would be a weak excuse, especially considering there's two work zones within 20 miles south of of here that have equally narrow, and shifted lanes (and a higher traffic area near I-295) and they're posted 70 mph through the work zones.

If stopped / backed up traffic was a concern, make it reduce maybe 1/2 mile before (not that anyone would comply unless a state trooper is sitting in the median). Not 3 miles.

[ElishaGOtis]

As for the advance reduction - possibly something done in anticipation of stopped/backed-up traffic?

Maybe? But it still doesn't make any sense, at all. That would be a weak excuse, especially considering there's two work zones within 20 miles south of of here that have equally narrow, and shifted lanes (and a higher traffic area near I-295) and they're posted 70 mph through the work zones.

If stopped / backed up traffic was a concern, make it reduce maybe 1/2 mile before (not that anyone would comply unless a state trooper is sitting in the median). Not 3 miles.

Found this if it helps:  https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/design/standardplans/2024/idx/102-600.pdf?sfvrsn=3244c6c7_2

As of a couple years ago, speed drops must be the first sign in the work zone, and all speed limits must comply with the special work zone clear zone, curve radius, and buffer length requirements.

[rickmastfan67]

Other "new" SRs; mostly frontage roads and ramps:

SR 106 - Ramp for access to SR 105 East from US 17, no shields as of last September

Now this is interesting.  Up to about a year ago, they had this signed as mainline FL-105.  Wonder when they'll (or if) post 106 shields on it.

[NJRoadfan]

Looks like Clermont got the boot on I-4 Exit 55 for Davenport, at least eastbound so far. Surprised they didn't do that at Exit 58 instead.

Somewhat related. Looks like they have started work to widen this stretch. Tree clearing and pile driving has commenced around Exit 58.

[ElishaGOtis]

Bill would allow railroad crossing gate cameras, allow FDOT to operate and install all camera types (red light, school speed limit, and railroad crossing), and allow FDOT to operate work zone speed cameras when minimal protection exists when workers are present (same threshold and fine, 10 over at $100).
https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/812/?Tab=BillText I'm wondering if this will result in lower temporary work zone speed limits given the very generous tolerance of the cameras, and the fact that they can only be activated under specific circumstances.

Another bill would re-introduce left lane for passing only when FDOT determines that the road should be restricted as such, and they can only do so when the speed limit is 65 or higher. https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/545/?Tab=BillText Ironically the Turnpike already has this authority and has seemingly used it pursuant to FSS338.239...

I can easily see them trying to photo enforce the 3-4 mile long 60 mph zone on I-95 north near the Georgia state line for the work zone that's only like 1,000 ft long on the far north end of that long speed (trap) zone... yet the massive construction project near I-295 in Jacksonville about 15 miles south of there has lane shifts and is all over the place, and has remained 70 mph.

I will never understand the inconsistency.

Slight update to this. While it still doesn't explain the significant advance reduction (outside the FDM requirements), the bridge work at the state line is due for a short cattle chute 

Be ready to bring popcorn as this is highly uncommon for Florida...

[D-Dey65]

What happened to this website over the weekend? I had a message that I was originally going to post in the Photos and Videos board, but I decided to stick it here instead.

I captured some images of the service areas of the Florida Turnpike Service Plazas south of St. Cloud, but I had to skip Pompano Beach and Snapper Creek.

I also created a whole new gallery for the West Palm Beach Service Plaza, which I found out was not in West Palm Beach, but between Wellington and Greenacres, Florida.

I took FL 802 between the turnpike and I-95 in Lake Worth, replacing Memphis, Florida as the furthest south I have ever been in my entire life.


On the way up, I captured the Martin County Rest Areas on I-95, but I had to skip the St. Lucie County Rest Areas. A little Google Maps coverage of those showed evidence of closed picnic areas at both rest areas. You can even see some of the mid-century modern picnic shelters from older Google Street Views along Angle Road.


I will fill up more of the rest area categories on Wikimedia Commons before the Spring of 2025, if not then into the Spring of 2025.

[Alex]

What happened to this website over the weekend? I had a message that I was originally going to post in the Photos and Videos board, but I decided to stick it here instead.

The server was overrun with GET and HEAD requests from Hong King IP addresses. Furthermore I signed up for Cloudflare, and their redirects did not place nicely with the http to https redirects I have here, resulting in the TOO MANY REDIRECTS error and time outs caused on the website. I'm working on a solution now.


Also through you might like to know that the erroneous SR 45 East sign on US 92/Hillsborough Avenue was finally corrected.

[D-Dey65]

What happened to this website over the weekend? I had a message that I was originally going to post in the Photos and Videos board, but I decided to stick it here instead.

The server was overrun with GET and HEAD requests from Hong King IP addresses. Furthermore I signed up for Cloudflare, and their redirects did not place nicely with the http to https redirects I have here, resulting in the TOO MANY REDIRECTS error and time outs caused on the website. I'm working on a solution now.


Also through you might like to know that the erroneous SR 45 East sign on US 92/Hillsborough Avenue was finally corrected.

Well, that's good. But Cloudflare has messed up some notable websites. "Rate Your Music" is one, and "RawConfessions" got really bad before that site collapsed.

BTW, after I read this message, I lost contact with the forum again.

[D-Dey65]

Something more relevant to the subject matter. When I took my Florida's Turnpike Service Plaza photography crusade last week, I spotted four turnpike doubles, and missed the chance to capture all four of them.

[ElishaGOtis]

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/726849-florida-could-soon-raise-the-speed-limit-on-its-highways/

Florida might be the next state east of the Mississippi River to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on limited-access highways.

For any other highways outside urban areas, meaning those with populations of 5,000 or more, the speed limit would ramp up from 65 mph to 70 mph, so long as there was a median strip dividing the lanes of traffic.

The language filed by DiCeglie would also allow the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to set maximum speeds for other roads deemed as safe and advisable as high as 65 mph. The agency right now only has discretion to boost the maximum speed on such roads to 60 mph.

Bill here (pages 7-8): https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/462/Amendment/816070/PDF

This amendment is nearly identical to the bill that was vetoed back in 2014. Also rescinds the statutory minimum speed limits.

[sprjus4]

So basically 75 mph on interstate highways (and other limited access highways), 70 mph on divided highways, and 65 mph on two lane roads. A 5 mph bump from the current limits. They proposed this some years ago exactly, but it was vetoed by the governor I believe. The roads their can easily handle these increases, and would bring speeds closer to reality.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Drove it yesterday morning, signs everywhere to not stop at the toll plazas. Weird that parts of the same road still have cash collection because CFX hasn't phased it out yet.

I found out that as part of CFX's project to widen SR 417 between SR 528 and SR 408 to eight lanes with wider shoulders, the Curry Ford Mainline Toll Plaza (MP 27.2) will be demolished and replaced with AET.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/03/26/cfx-narrows-proposed-routes-to-sanford-s-airport

The CFX has narrowed the alignment options down to two (2) for the new route to Orlando Sanford International Airport from SR 417.

Alternative 2 starts north of Lake Jessup Toll Plaza
Alternative 2A starts south of Lake Jessup Toll Plaza

[The Ghostbuster]

Do they have a designation yet for this proposed roadway? FL 417A maybe?

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.clickorlando.com/traffic/2025/03/26/central-florida-toll-system-will-transition-to-cashless-payments-at-night/

Cash will not be accepted during the overnight hours (10pm-6am) on the CFX system starting on April 22nd.

According to the Central Florida Expressway Authority, around 98% of customers pay tolls using transponders such as E-PASS or SunPass.

I could see the CFX system switching to cashless tolling sometime in the 2026-2027 timeframe...

[ElishaGOtis]

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/726849-florida-could-soon-raise-the-speed-limit-on-its-highways/

Florida might be the next state east of the Mississippi River to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on limited-access highways.

For any other highways outside urban areas, meaning those with populations of 5,000 or more, the speed limit would ramp up from 65 mph to 70 mph, so long as there was a median strip dividing the lanes of traffic.

The language filed by DiCeglie would also allow the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to set maximum speeds for other roads deemed as safe and advisable as high as 65 mph. The agency right now only has discretion to boost the maximum speed on such roads to 60 mph.

Bill here (pages 7-8): https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/462/Amendment/816070/PDF

This amendment is nearly identical to the bill that was vetoed back in 2014. Also rescinds the statutory minimum speed limits.

This now has a companion house bill, HB 567 (also a Transportation Omnibus bill). https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/567/?Tab=BillHistory Speed limit terms identical.

[ElishaGOtis]

New state highway map dropped for 2025 https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/co-gis/current-state-map/current-state-map.pdf?sfvrsn=90517147_12

Also, on a slightly different note, I was out investigating some of the new additions to the SHS, and I'm not sure if these are an error or a result of the technicality that FHWA placed... the two SR-93F roads near Exit 293 on I-75 are both (effectively private) DRIVEWAYS, one of which has a gate blocking the roadway entirely.

No clinching this one y'all...  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Stoaxjxzs9K3V4Ws8 (a non-MUTCD compliant sign was installed stating private property / no trespassing after the GSV image was taken)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PDyouBw23XrhEwuRA (the gate has since been replaced with a bigger gate)

[Max Rockatansky]

Depends on how bad you want that clinch?  That gate can be easily cleared if you want to get over it bad enough.

[ElishaGOtis]

Depends on how bad you want that clinch?  That gate can be easily cleared if you want to get over it bad enough.

It's been replaced with a new gate that's like 15 feet high

[Max Rockatansky]

Depends on how bad you want that clinch?  That gate can be easily cleared if you want to get over it bad enough.

It's been replaced with a new gate that's like 15 feet high

And how does that change the narrative if someone what's an F State Road clinch that badly?

[ElishaGOtis]

Depends on how bad you want that clinch?  That gate can be easily cleared if you want to get over it bad enough.

It's been replaced with a new gate that's like 15 feet high

And how does that change the narrative if someone what's an F State Road clinch that badly?

True that

[Alex]

New state highway map dropped for 2025 https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/co-gis/current-state-map/current-state-map.pdf?sfvrsn=90517147_12

I contribute revisions to this every year. One of the changes I submitted two years in a row was adding a point for Lakewood Ranch. Nice to see that done. For this year, I already submitted the missing toll road linework for Wekiva Parkway in Seminole County and a correction in the Pensacola inset for CR 209, which should be CR 290.

Unfortunately numerous unsigned county road markers were added to various insets in the latest map. I've tried to point out the ones to be removed every edition, and this year's addition seemingly undid a lot of that work.

I also noticed that the mileage figures were removed along all roads. That's quite a disappointment.

[ElishaGOtis]

New state highway map dropped for 2025 https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/co-gis/current-state-map/current-state-map.pdf?sfvrsn=90517147_12

I contribute revisions to this every year. One of the changes I submitted two years in a row was adding a point for Lakewood Ranch. Nice to see that done. For this year, I already submitted the missing toll road linework for Wekiva Parkway in Seminole County and a correction in the Pensacola inset for CR 209, which should be CR 290.

Unfortunately numerous unsigned county road markers were added to various insets in the latest map. I've tried to point out the ones to be removed every edition, and this year's addition seemingly undid a lot of that work.

I also noticed that the mileage figures were removed along all roads. That's quite a disappointment.

Some other things I've noticed:
- SR-28 is listed in the map (currently unsigned)
- Toll 686A is signed as Toll 686
- SR-826 is signed as Toll 826 instead of "includes managed lanes"
- The HEFT is signed as Toll 821 despite that designation being unsigned
- The exit list, although highly useful, is missing a few termini
- A few concurrencies are missing