I was just browsing Google Maps and noticed the Florida Turnpike and I-95 running parallel for so many miles. Could someone tell me what the deal is with these two roads? It seems ridiculous to me.
I don't see how it is ridiculous. And yes, I-95 closely parallels the Florida Turnpike (SR 91) through most of the Miami Metropolitan Area from around Port St. Lucie, to around Miami Gardens. It's a large metro area, so two parallel north-south freeways primarily serving it isn't ridiculous at all, especially with one being a toll.
Doesn't seem any different than I-295 and the Jersey Turnpike. In Florida, I-95 acts as the "local" road and the turnpike has far fewer exits. Now that I've driven both I can say I'll use the turnpike on future trips unless I need to go somewhere more easily reached via I-95.
The segment of I-95 between FL 786 and FL 70 wasn't completed until 1987, so they used the Turnpike's right of way (or at least, the Florida Department of Transportation bought what and where they could, since they meander somewhat). The Turnpike along that span dated back to 1956-57 or thereabouts. They parallel each other, but do not share exits for some 17 miles or so.
View from the Turnpike, northbound just about to approach the Martin County line:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.formulanone.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F02%2FTurnpike-Interstate95onRight.jpg&hash=04d3fa37c5508891eb14962b1c34a24920cfa8dd)
It was nice to have the alternative to the other, depending on the time if day you were driving.
I-95 can sometimes get real congested during peak travel times especially around West Palm Beach. The Turnpike does not get as easily congested through West Palm Beach and all the cities southward to Miami either which the interstate can.
Although tolled many will sacrifice their money to avoid the delays. It is a good alternative to have the two roads in the same area. One local and one through. The HOT lanes will almost the same way with the express being toll and the local (with everybody using it) being free on many interstates when fully implemented.
When you live in south Florida, having both Interstate 95 and the Florida's Turnpike closely parallel is an absolute blessing. In the nearly 17 years I have lived here, the Turnpike was my usual driving choice due to far less congestion and much less construction. Driver behavior in south Florida is abysmal and Interstate 95 usually brings out the worst.
The Turnpike, at least the section from the massive Golden Glades interchange north of Miami to Fort Pierce, was originally conceived in the 1950s as a largely two-lane parkway, aptly named the Sunshine State Parkway.
Where the Turnpike was built, there was virtually zero development 55+ years ago or at the edge of the unconquered Everglades. In the 1950s, south Florida had fewer than 500,000 people. Today, there are 7 million permanent residents and twice as many snowbirds from mid-November to mid-April. :wave:
Which is a better quality highway? What are the speed limits on the two roads?
Rush hour or holidays on the Turnpike can be agonizing, even with a 70mph speed limit; it's only four lanes from Orlando to Lantana. And it can be a very boring drive.
But it can be a useful alternative along Broward County during its rush hour. For Palm Beach County...using the Turnpike is less of an advantage since I-95 became 10-12 lanes. I don't think I-95 hits a 70mph limit until you're north of PGA Boulevard (FL 786).
It's quite helpful when there's a reported accident - just pick the other one and you're not as inconvenienced. The toll amount isn't too excessive, depending on where you join and leave it. Once you're past FL 70, the exits are much more sparse and the tolls go up quite a bit.
Quote from: bugo on August 21, 2014, 06:16:16 AM
Which is a better quality highway? What are the speed limits on the two roads?
Speed limits are 70 on both, dropping when they get to more built up areas. Both are in good shape but I tend to prefer I95 north of Jupiter because the Turnpike is only 4 lanes while I95 has 6.
Quote from: realjd on August 22, 2014, 11:09:35 AM
Quote from: bugo on August 21, 2014, 06:16:16 AM
Which is a better quality highway? What are the speed limits on the two roads?
Speed limits are 70 on both, dropping when they get to more built up areas. Both are in good shape but I tend to prefer I95 north of Jupiter because the Turnpike is only 4 lanes while I95 has 6.
I see they're still working on the I-95 widening between Fort Pierce and the Brevard County line...I would have thought they'd be done by now. At least the widening from the county line to Malabar Road is done.
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on August 20, 2014, 05:54:48 PM
I don't see how it is ridiculous. And yes, I-95 closely parallels the Florida Turnpike (SR 91) through most of the Miami Metropolitan Area from around Port St. Lucie, to around Miami Gardens. It's a large metro area, so two parallel north-south freeways primarily serving it isn't ridiculous at all, especially with one being a toll.
It's not uncommon at all for populated areas. In New York, we have the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and the Northern Parkway that are never much more than a mile apart. It's similar with the Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) and the Merritt Parkway (CT 15), although there it's a few miles apart.
Was I-95 ever actually signed on the turnpike? Was it signed TO I-95 or just plain old I-95? Where it connected to the free portions, were TO I-95 signs put up?
Quote from: DeaconG on August 22, 2014, 06:00:17 PM
Quote from: realjd on August 22, 2014, 11:09:35 AM
Quote from: bugo on August 21, 2014, 06:16:16 AM
Which is a better quality highway? What are the speed limits on the two roads?
Speed limits are 70 on both, dropping when they get to more built up areas. Both are in good shape but I tend to prefer I95 north of Jupiter because the Turnpike is only 4 lanes while I95 has 6.
I see they're still working on the I-95 widening between Fort Pierce and the Brevard County line...I would have thought they'd be done by now. At least the widening from the county line to Malabar Road is done.
Almost done between the county line and Malabar. They still had cones up in the outside lane as of this morning.