Congestion and crashes are creating problems on the 100-plus miles of road that connect the islands of the Florida Keys. Now, county officials are developing a transportation plan in hopes to move cars more efficiently and reduce incidents on U.S. 1 from Key Largo to Key West.
A transportation plan recently developed with consultants AECOM shows just over 180 proposed projects that could be included in future work plans for the Florida Department of Transportation. They include everything from feasibility studies to examine intersections and possible reconfigurations to bridge repairs and modifying light signal times.
Of the projects, 58 are already included in FDOT’s five-year work program.
Out of the list of proposed studies and improvements come 15 projects that the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners would like FDOT to prioritize for the Florida Keys in the years to come. Of those, several are specifically related to deal with traffic through Islamorada. One proposes a study between MM 77 and MM 83 to determine the need for turn lanes and possible improvements to Old Highway. The study would include review of possible improvements to the highway to “better serve as a frontage road that promotes safety and other modes of transportation through installation of bike lanes and walking paths.”
As a resident on the Old Highway, Councilman Mark Gregg said he doesn’t want to see the road used to spread U.S. 1 traffic during busy weekends and holidays. Gregg said such a move is promoting cars to pull off U.S. 1 onto the Old Road, only to return back onto the main highway.
“It actually slows the traffic down worse than if they had just stayed in line,” Gregg said, adding that he’d promote use of the Old Road as a “local-only road.”
“For those of us who live on the other side, sometimes that’s the only way we can get around on the weekend to get the few little things we need,” he said.
Another proposal seeks to install shelters at designed bus pull-off areas and stops along U.S. 1 in the Keys. Funds were included in Islamorada’s budget for fiscal year 2021-22. Councilman Henry Rosenthal said his list of things to work on this year include comfortable bus stops for workers who are often waiting for the bus in the sun, and at times, in the pouring rain.
“Service is our most important product. We’re very much dependent on the people who serve this community,” he said. “Until it was brought to my attention a year ago, I didn’t pay too much attention to it. But if you really pay attention, it’s a disservice to our workforce coming out of the county.”
Another seeks FDOT to prioritize converting Snake Creek Bridge to a high-level fixed bridge to keep traffic moving. A study on possibly replacing the bascule bridge with a fixed bridge continues, according to FDOT. The project kicked off in 2017. Residents had the chance to review four options and provide public comment during a May 2019 public meeting at Founders Park Community Center.
Vehicles slowly move their way through Islamorada. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly 
Monroe County strategic planner Kimberly Matthews speaks with Islamorada resident Sue Miller before the meeting. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly 
Councilman Henry Rosenthal speaks during a recent special meeting of Islamorada Village Council. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
A project development and environmental study is the next step, according to FDOT spokeswoman Tish Burgher. That study is in FDOT’s five-year work program for fiscal year 2026. The estimated cost for the study is $2 million.
“A PD&E Study takes about two years to complete,” she said. “Subsequent project phases, including final design, right-of-way acquisition and construction are not currently programmed or funded. If the project proceeds beyond PD&E, final design will be programmed and last about two years as well.”
Another project on the county’s list seeks a weigh-in motion upgrade for trucks that need to weigh their load before traveling further south.
Islamorada officials recently weighed in with additional proposals for the county to consider in its list of priority projects. They include moving FDOT’s weigh station by Snake Creek Bridge to an alternate location. Before traversing the bridge, dump trucks and semis are often required to pull off U.S. 1 to weigh their load before getting back onto the highway via a merge lane. The area gets congested with a drawbridge stopping traffic at the hour to let larger boats pass through.
Adding bike paths and walkways on bridges within the village, expanding shared use paths along U.S. 1 to allow for multiple methods of riding through the village and adding raised medians at certain locations like Upper Matecumbe Key were other proposals Islamorada officials are putting on their priority list.
They also acknowledged some projects in the plan that they wished to take out, and that included a study to determine the need for a bypass bridge between Snake Creek and Tea Table Relief Key.
“I don’t think that’s a go,” said Councilman Buddy Pinder.
Councilman David Webb said the village’s “wish list” will require working alongside county and state officials over years in order for such projects to move forward. But he said there isn’t one recommendation in the entire transportation master plan that would reduce the number of cars in Monroe County. Webb proposed language within the village’s approved resolution of desired projects, which states that there needs to be cooperative efforts from all levels of government to determine whether the carrying capacity of the Florida Keys has been reached or breached. Webb’s amendment was approved by the council.
“You can parse the words and change lanes and timing on lights, but the overwhelming problem with traffic in Monroe County is the actual number of cars,” Webb said. “We need to be part of the dialogue with the county and the state to make sure that our residents’ interpretation of what carrying capacity means in our community is part of the discussion. I don’t want the county or state to tell me we can take 300 or 400 homes in Islamorada because they determined the carrying capacity can support that.”
Kim Matthews, Monroe County senior director of strategic planning, said the master plan started some 18 months ago. It’s funded by FDOT for use to gather ideas for their five-year work program. Matthews said it’s all part of the process to formalize a relationship with FDOT on an ongoing basis.
“This is a collaborative process with all municipalities so that everyone has a voice,” Matthews said.
