Major Delays Ahead: Port Boulevard Roadway Project Launches Today

Major Delays Ahead: Port Boulevard Roadway Project Launches Today

Commuters heading into Downtown Miami and toward PortMiami should prepare for significant changes to traffic patterns starting today, Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is officially breaking ground on the State Road (S.R.) 886/Port Boulevard roadway project. This $3.6 million infrastructure initiative is expected to last approximately eight months and will impact the stretch from S.R. 5/U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard directly to the port entrance.

The project includes repaving, deck repairs to the bridge, and pedestrian safety upgrades. Commuters should expect intermittent lane closures and shifted lanes during both daytime and nighttime hours. If you are catching a cruise or working at the port, it is highly recommended to add at least 20 to 30 minutes of extra travel time to your morning route to account for the construction zones near the entrance of the Macarthur Causeway.

Ongoing I-95 and I-395 Design-Build Disruptions

The massive "Connecting Miami" project continues to reshape the central interchange, with several key alerts in effect for the middle of this week. Drivers transitioning from northbound I-95 to westbound S.R. 836 may encounter detour signs as crews prioritize bridge work in the area. Additionally, the Palmetto Expressway (S.R. 826) remains a focal point for construction, particularly at the Golden Glades Interchange where ramp closures are being implemented nightly to facilitate lane capacity expansions.

• Northbound I-95: Watch for lane shifts and narrowed lanes near the NW 8th Street exit as overhead sign structures are installed.
• SR 836/Dolphin Expressway: Eastbound lanes near NW 17th Avenue may experience congestion due to ongoing overhead bridge support work.
• Palmetto Expressway: Lane closures continue between NW 103rd Street and the I-75 interchange for the ongoing capacity project.

Metrorail and Public Transit Alerts

Miami-Dade Transit riders should be aware of scheduled maintenance affecting the Metrorail system. As part of a weekday preventive maintenance program, single-tracking will be in effect after 8:00 p.m. tonight. This will specifically impact the segment between the Vizcaya and Douglas Road stations. During these hours, both northbound and southbound trains will share a single track, leading to potential delays of 15 to 30 minutes for evening commuters.

Other transit notices for today include:

• Metro Express BRT: The South Dade TransitWay is fully operational with all-electric articulated buses; however, motorists should be mindful of the newly activated gate arms at various intersections along the 20-mile corridor next to U.S. 1.
• Liberty City Trolley: The pilot program remains in effect today, though the Holmes Elementary and Joseph Caleb Center stops are not being served during this period.
• Metromover Upgrade: While the Financial District station is scheduled for a temporary closure this coming weekend, regular weekday service is currently active on the Brickell Loop.

For those looking to avoid the surface-level gridlock, the new water taxi service between Miami and Miami Beach remains a reliable alternative for cross-bay travel. Commuters are encouraged to use official transit apps to monitor real-time bus and rail arrivals during the high-volume morning rush.