I-595 Express Corridor Improvements Project
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Public-Private Partnership?

A public-private partnership (P3) is a contractual agreement between a public agency, in this case the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and a private sector proposer or bidder, in this case a concessionaire. P3's transfer some of the responsibilities, risks and/or rewards of project ownership from the public sector to a private entity for a fixed period of time.

What is a concessionaire?

A concessionaire is typically a private sector firm (or firms) formed by one or more equity investors to design, build, finance, operate and maintain (DBFOM) a facility under a contractual agreement with a public entity. The concessionaire team will also include key subcontractors, including the project designer, builder and operator, who may or may not be equity investors in the concessionaire team.

How will a concessionaire be utilized for the I-595 corridor?

The concessionaire will finance, design and build the project, and operate and maintain the system under a long-term 35-year agreement with FDOT. The concessionaire will finance the project funding shortfall up front and be repaid through availability payments when the completed project opens to traffic.

Entitlement to the availability payments will generally be based on the 'availability' of the project to vehicular traffic and the concessionaire's conformance with the operation and maintenance criteria established in the concession agreement. FDOT will retain control of the toll revenue and toll rates.

What other transportation projects have been funded and built through a P3 arrangement?

U.S. transportation projects funded through P3's include the JFK Airtrain in New York City, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail in New Jersey, the Las Vegas Monorail, and the proposed Port of Miami Tunnel.

Will FDOT need to acquire right of way for the project?

The Department has secured drainage rights over several golf courses along the corridor to satisfy the drainage requirements for the project. The golf course lake systems will be expanded to accept the additional drainage from I-595 to meet the permit requirements. This innovative drainage design avoids the need to purchase up to 60 acres of land along I-595 as originally anticipated.

The Department does anticipate minor acquisition along the project to satisfy the project needs. The Department is continuing to evaluate alternatives to help minimize the need for additional right of way.

What is the schedule for the project and when will the corridor improvements be completed?

The contract with I 595 Express LLC to design, build, finance, operate and maintain (DBFOM) the project has been executed, and project design activities have commenced.

Minor off-road work involving relocation of utility lines, construction of the New River Greenway and ground mounted sound barriers could begin this spring, and major construction is anticipated to commence in the summer and be completed in Spring 2014. By establishing a P3, the corridor improvements will be completed as much as 15 years sooner than previously envisioned through conventional project delivery methods.

When will construction begin?

Major construction is anticipated to begin during the summer of 2009. There will be minor construction that could begin as early as this spring which would consist of utility relocations, sound barriers and greenway construction. The overall construction schedule is anticipated to last for 5 years with construction completing in 2014.

Will the express lanes be tolled?

Yes. The express lanes will be electronically tolled as "managed lanes". Managed lanes provide for a reliable free flow of traffic by adjusting the toll rate depending on the traffic demand. The demand is managed by charging more as the number of vehicles increases in the express lanes (i.e. during peak travel times), and reducing the rate when the demand for the lanes decreases. In addition to individual commuters, this type of congestion management provides valuable time saving benefit to essential services such as emergency vehicles, van pools and buses.

With the express lanes, motorists will have the choice of paying for a reliable travel time. By offering additional travel choices for each trip, the express lanes will provide the means to relieve congestion on the I-595 mainline while providing a free-flow alternative that will reduce delays and lower total driving hours. FDOT will retain control of the toll revenue and toll rates.

How will I access the express lanes?

To maximize the operational efficiency of the express lanes system, access and egress to and from the system will be limited to four exchange points in the medians of I-595 and Florida's Turnpike. Along I-595, the western access/egress point is between I-75 and Flamingo Road, serving I-75 and the Sawgrass Expressway; and the eastern location is between Florida's Turnpike and SR 7, serving points east of SR 7 including I-95. Along Florida's Turnpike, the southern access/egress point is between Griffin Road and I-595, and the northern location is between I-595 and Peter's Road.

How will traffic operations be maintained during construction?

Maintenance of traffic will be designed and scheduled to ensure that traffic is disrupted as little as possible and that a safe environment for motorists and construction personnel is provided during all phases of the project construction. The Traffic Control Plan will include the following measures:

Maintaining the existing number of lanes in each direction during the peak traffic hours for the duration of the project:

  • Maintaining at least one access to all adjacent properties and businesses.
  • Maximizing construction operations during off-peak hours.
  • Minimizing the need for detours, temporary bridges, and lane closures.
  • Proper and efficient sequencing to minimize continual or repeated impacts to existing roadways and adjacent businesses.

Information such as status of construction, traffic pattern changes, periods of lane closures, traffic delays, alternate routes, incidents and emergency procedures will be continually communicated to the media and the public throughout the project duration.

How will the community be involved in the project?

FDOT and I 595 Express, LLC is committed to continuing its community outreach throughout the duration of the project. News releases, display ads, websites, newsletters, surveys, meetings, briefings, presentations and special events will be used to solicit feedback and keep the public informed of project status and activities. The community is encouraged to view details of the project and provide comments through the website Contact Us page.

Where does the public learn about jobs, subcontracting and vending opportunities?

Contractors will be listing their job openings with the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) - a state agency. Job seekers register online to view openings. Training on how to register and use the computer for finding openings is available. Applicants can view job listings at www.employflorida.com and they can identify office locations where training for these services is available.

Current job openings will also be posted on the Employment page.

For information related to job opportunities on the I-595 project, please email inquiries to jobs@i595express.com or call the inquiry hotline at 954-671-5500.