INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Interstate 95 between the St. Lucie/Indian River county lines and State Road 60 will be undergoing a $54.4 million widening and improvement project, bringing with it lane closures and noise.
“Short term it’s going to be a mess,” said Hampton Inn General Manager Scott DiPietro, but in the end it will be worth it.
He said the plans to lengthen the on ramps at the State Road 60 interchange will help ease congestion and improve safety, explaining that there have been numerous times when he’s had to scoot to the shoulder because he couldn’t merge with traffic.
The on-ramps will be widened to conform with new design standards, said Project Controls Specialist Manuel Quintana, but will remain just one lane.
“It’s definitely going to be an improvement,” he said of the interchange work.
The Florida Department of Transportation held a public open house Wednesday afternoon to answer questions about the work, which got underway this week. Construction is expected to wrap up in early 2014.
Project Administrator Pat Kennedy, of Cardno TBE, said the main questions the public seemed to have had to do with the amount of noise associated with the work and the hours of operation for construction.
Kennedy said most of the work would be done during normal daytime hours, though paving would be done overnight.
Construction of sound walls adjacent to the communities of Lakewood Village, Indian River Aerodrome and the Department of Corrections Housing, and pile driving the overpass bridges would be done during the day. The sound walls will be a neutral color in brick, decorated with pelicans and ibises.
DiPietro said he has started to notify guests of the construction project, letting them know they can expect to see flashing lights, construction signage and other elements that could lead to some confusion getting to the hotel.
Construction crews will start with the sound walls and the bridges at 4th Street, 90th Avenue and State Road 60. The new lanes to be added to the interstate – one in each direction – will be constructed within the median area.
For more information about the project call (772) 489-8410 or email kdempsey@corradino.com.
