Miami Beach Spring Break Restrictions and Golden Glades Closures Headline Thursday Commute

Thursday Traffic Overview

Commuters across Miami-Dade should prepare for a complex travel day this Thursday, February 12, 2026. With major infrastructure projects reaching critical phases and the implementation of early Spring Break traffic management in Miami Beach, several key arteries will see significant shifts in volume and accessibility. Additionally, local congestion is expected near Miami City Hall on Pan American Drive due to the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting taking place at 9:00 a.m.

Miami Beach Traffic Plan in Effect

Starting at 6:00 p.m. today, the City of Miami Beach is activating its intensive traffic plan to manage the early influx of Spring Break visitors. This recurring Thursday-through-Sunday operation will significantly restrict access to the South of Fifth (SoFi), West Avenue, and Flamingo Park neighborhoods. Residents and visitors should note that Flamingo Park will only be accessible via Alton Road, while SoFi access is restricted to Alton Road, Washington Avenue, and Collins Avenue. Local access restrictions are being strictly enforced to prioritize resident mobility and safety.

Major Highway and Ramp Closures

• Golden Glades Interchange (GGI): The ramp from the Golden Glades Park & Ride to the Southbound I-95 Express lanes remains closed through February 15. Commuters should utilize the general-purpose lanes or follow posted detours. Furthermore, preparatory work is underway for full lane closures on I-95 scheduled to begin tomorrow night.
• I-395/SR 836/I-95 Project: Ongoing concrete pavement reconstruction and bridge work continue. While daytime lanes remain mostly open, two eastbound and two westbound lanes on SR 836 between NW 17 Avenue and I-95 will close starting at 9:00 p.m. tonight. Additionally, the NW 8 Street ramp to northbound I-95 will be closed from 10:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
• Port Boulevard: The SR 886/Port Boulevard roadway project is in full swing. Expect narrowed lanes and heavy machinery presence near the entrance to PortMiami.

Public Transit and Alternate Routes

Miami-Dade Transit continues to offer the most reliable alternative for those looking to avoid the Midtown and Golden Glades bottlenecks. The new Metro Express Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service is now fully operational on the South Dade TransitWay, providing a dedicated corridor from Florida City to the Dadeland South Intermodal Station. At Dadeland South, crews are finishing the final 'homestretch' of upgrades to the station's canopies and escalators, though service remains uninterrupted. For those heading to Miami Beach, the city's trolley system remains the recommended method to bypass the SoFi traffic checkpoints starting this evening.

Safety Reminder

With high-intensity construction zones active on the Palmetto Expressway and I-95, the Florida Department of Transportation urges drivers to remain vigilant for newly installed wrong-way detection systems and adjusted lane markings. Always plan for an additional 15-20 minutes of travel time when traversing the Golden Glades or the MacArthur Causeway.