Severe traffic congestion caused by a new water main installation, which shut down a northbound lane on U.S. 1 from MM 90 past Tavernier Creek Bridge for more than two months, will soon be in the rear-view mirror.
An update regarding the major water installation on Plantation Key was provided by project manager Aaron Cutler to Islamorada council members during a May 6 meeting. Cutler said crews successfully installed the new 36-inch-diameter pipes underwater at Tavernier Creek Crossing on April 30. He said the part of the project that caused heavy traffic congestion northbound, is set to wrap up by Tuesday, May 13. Traffic will again flow with two lanes open for vehicles traveling north on U.S. 1.
“Hopefully by this time next week, there’s no travel impacts in that section from MM 90 to Tavernier Creek Bridge,” Cutler told council members.
Since February, crews and heavy machinery have been stationed near MM 90.6 where the new transmission main was placed underwater at Tavernier Creek Crossing. What began as a complete closure of two northbound lanes — which spanned a mile and caused heavy traffic backups in both directions on U.S. 1 — eventually changed to one northbound lane closure and no impediments to southbound lanes. Still, a reduction in northbound lanes from two to one brought heavy traffic backups throughout the day — especially between 2 and 7 p.m.
In a bid to keep traffic flowing, FKAA eventually hired three sheriff’s deputies to ensure aggressive drivers weren’t butting their way onto U.S. 1 from the Old Highway. Those deputies have been stationed at various intersections between 2 and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“We really appreciate the community’s patience and the council’s support,” Cutler said. “The most difficult part of the project was what we encountered (at Tavernier Creek Crossing).
South of Tavernier Creek Bridge, another crew continues to place the new transmission main from Snake Creek Bridge going north. Crews are currently working in front of Founders Park.
Cutler said roughly 8,000 linear feet of new pipes so far were successfully installed into the ground on Plantation Key. Crews will be working through November 2026 to install 6 miles of new transmission main on Plantation Key. The main carries drinking water from the water treatment plant to the faucet. The existing pipe has exceeded its useful lifespan, and FKAA officials say this work is critical.
“I greatly appreciate what you guys are doing,” Mayor Sharon Mahoney said. “Yeah, people call and complain, but we have to have water and it has to be done.”
Resident Joe Wischmeier said his wife, a school teacher at Coral Shores, endured a 30 minute drive just to get across the street to their Plantation Key Colony residence.
“She had to go a mile before she could come out on U.S. 1 and then fight traffic all the way back,” he said.
Cutler said he understood the concern, which has been heard since the project’s beginning.
“The more people come from the Old Highway and onto U.S. 1, it slows it down for everyone else. The good news is we’re about a week away from opening that up.”
