Construction began in 19682 on a short freeway spur from Interstate 95 east to the Biscayne Causeway. Opened in 1970,3 Interstate 395 provides a link from Miami to Miami Beach via the Causeway. All of Interstate 395 is secret Florida 836. To the west, Interstate 395 transitions into signed Florida 836, which provides an east-west freeway connection between Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 95. Florida 836 is only tolled on Eastbound for a short distance.
The causeway is not Interstate standard, and is officially designated as Florida A1A. It had been U.S. 41 until that highway was truncated at U.S. 1 in 1999-2000. Interstate 395 itself is a very short route in Florida.
Additionally the ramps from Interstate 95 North and South enter Interstate 395 East on the righthand side without merging to the mainline (a barrier separates the two). The dual carriageway continues to the U.S. 1 exit, which is a left exit from Florida 836 and a right exit from the Interstate 95 ramps. The two carriageways merge together as Interstate 395 ends (The Interstate 395 Ends signage is posted before the highways merge). An FDOT improvement plan in 1996 sought to expand the existing Interstate 395 with additional lanes. That expansion plan however, was killed by neighborhood opposition.1
Looking east on Interstate 395, this photo shows the dual carriageway arrangement that is unique to this South Florida expressway. Photo taken 12/29/03.
Future Aspirations
The future of Interstate 395 appears to be uncertain. Public officials Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Barbara Carey-Shuler are debating the future of the Interstate 395 viaduct and how to address many residents and local politicians concerns about the urban blight and overall ugliness the freeway exudes. The current thought process entails tearing down the existing Interstate 395 structure and relocating the freeway in a depressed freeway that would reconnect the local city street grid above. Razing the existing roadway would free 40 acres of land for apartments, shops, and public park space. Local streets would cross over the freeway below on bridges and certain sections of the freeway would be covered altogether, allowing for additional land available for greenery and pedestrian paths.1 This project mirrors what the city of Philadelphia accomplished with the eastern portions of the Interstate 676 Vine Street Expressway.
The estimated cost is $525 million, with the State of Florida already earmarking $100 million. However with that stated, the Florida Department of Transportation has an idea of its own. Their proposal is to build a new elevated span for Interstate 395 at nearly twice the height of the existing roadway. The contention is that the new sleekly designed bridges would allow more sunlight to the surface below. Additionally the existing earth embankments would be eliminated and the amount of support columns would be reduced with the new design. The argument is that the FDOT design results in less of a physical barrier than a depressed, open-cut freeway.1
The depressed freeway proposal has already been submitted to the Metropolitan Planning Organization, a county agency that will make the final decision. FDOT has yet to formally present its alternative to the county agency.1
Pull through signage for Interstate 395 shifts to Florida 836, which is the "secret" state road designation that underlies Interstate 395. West of here, Florida 836 follows the Dolphin Expressway to Florida 826/Palmetto Expressway and Florida's Turnpike (Secret Florida 821). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Entering the Interstate 95/Florida 836 stack interchange from Interstate 395 westbound. Traffic for Interstate 95 northbound departs with two lanes as Interstate 95 southbound traffic departs in 0.25 miles from the left. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Interstate 95 southbound traffic departs Interstate 395 as the transition to Florida 836, the East-West Tollway, transpires. Florida 836 passes by Miami International Airport to the south en route to Sweetwater and the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. Note that there are no END shields in place for Interstate 395, even though there are such signs at the eastern terminus. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Perspective from Florida 836 east
Prior to the final toll plaza on eastbound Florida 836/Dolphin (East-West) Expressway is this exit ramp for N.W. 17th Avenue to the Civic Center and the Orange Bowl. Both the exit and mainline must pay tolls. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
The toll plaza is built with a cable stay structure, giving it height and allowing the cables to hold up the far end of the toll plaza roof. After this toll plaza, Florida 836 east shifts onto Interstate 395. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
After the mainline toll plaza, eastbound Florida 836 passes by the toll plaza for the ramp to N.W. 17th Avenue. Note the blue milepost, which shows a Florida 836 shield (not Interstate 395). However, the next set of overhead guide signs (in the distance) show an Interstate 395 shield. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
After passing through the toll plaza for the Dolphin Expressway, lane allocations are provided for through traffic to eastbound Interstate 395 to Miami Beach and traffic connecting to Interstate 95 north to Fort Lauderdale and south to downtown Miami. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
The Florida 836/Dolphin Expressway crosses over the Miami River on a high viaduct, offering a view of downtown Miami to the southeast and the junction with Interstate 95 straight ahead. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
The left lane connects to Interstate 95 north, while the right lane exits only to Interstate 95 south. Only the middle two lanes continue east on Interstate 395 to the MacArthur Causeway and Miami Beach. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
Florida 836 eastbound crosses NW 7th Avenue and enters the Interstate 95/395 stack interchange complex. A small guide sign to the right advises motorists to use Interstate 395 for the area arenas: Miami Arena and American Airlines Arena, both of which are situated to the southeast of this junction. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
A look at the Interstate 95 southbound ramp departure (Exit 1A) from Interstate 395 east. A ramp to N.W. 8th Street appears on the Interstate 95 southbound ramp as well. Downtown Miami is one mile to the south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
Traffic to Exit 1B/Interstate 95 northbound departs from the left as Interstate 395 sees the 0.75 mile guide sign for Exit 2/U.S. 1 - Biscayne Boulevard. Exit 2 is as far as the Interstate 395 designation applies. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
View of the Interstate 95 interchange on eastbound Interstate 395 and Florida 836. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
Perspective from Interstate 395 and Florida 836 east
Continuing east on Interstate 395 and Florida 836 after the Interstate 95 stack interchange, the first and only exit is Exit 2, Junction U.S. 1 (Biscayne Boulevard), which is the point where Interstate 395/Florida 836 end and shift onto Florida A1A. Use U.S. 1 to the Port of Miami, American Airlines Arena, and bayfront access points. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
The dual carriageway Interstate 395 departs the Interstate 95 Exit 1A/B stack interchange. The U.S. 1 ramps are signed Exit 2A for the inner carriageway and Exit 2B for the outer carriageway. The Interstate 395 pull-through panels displayed were installed with the 2002 exit renumbering project by the Florida Department of Transportation. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
Perspective from Florida 836 west
After departing from the Interstate 95 interchange, westbound Florida 836/Dolphin Expressway becomes a toll road. It continues west to Florida 826/Palmetto Expressway, Florida 821/Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike (HEFT), and will eventually offer a direct connection to westbound U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail once its extension is complete. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (05/08/06).
Westbound Florida 836/Dolphin Expressway reaches the offramp to Florida 933 and N.W. 12th Avenue. After crossing the Miami River/Canal, Toll Florida 836 will interchange with Florida 9/N.W. 27th Avenue. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (05/08/06).
Perspective from Interstate 95 south
Now traveling south on Interstate 95, the connection to Interstate 395 and Florida 836 east to Miami Beach is served by a left exit, while the connection to Florida 836/Dolphin Expressway is served by a right exit. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (05/08/06).
Interstate 95 southbound widens to six lanes in anticipation of the Interstate 395/Florida 836 stack interchange. Interstate 395 bound traffic departs from two lanes to the left. The East-West Tollway is allocated two lanes from the right. Note the change in signage between 2003 and 2006. Photos taken by Justin Cozart (06/03) and Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (05/08/06).
Exit 3A for Florida 836 westbound departs as Interstate 95 enters the Interstate 395 stack interchange area. Exit 3B guide signage appears for the adjacent N.W. 8th Street off-ramp. Traffic from Florida 836 east to Interstate 95 south is also able to utilize Exit 3B. Photos taken by Justin Cozart (06/03) and Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (05/08/06).
Use Florida 836/Dolphin Expressway west (Exit 3A) to N.W. 14th Street. To the Port of Miami and Orange Bowl, use Interstate 95 south to Exit 3B, N.W. 8th Street. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (05/08/06).
The central business district skyline of Miami comes into view as Interstate 95 nears the eastern beginning of Interstate 395. Traffic utilizing Exit 2D is segregated from the Florida 836 to Interstate 395 mainline through to Exit 2B/U.S. 1. This is due to the dual carriageway configuration mentioned above. Photo taken by Justin Cozart (06/03).
Interstate 395 eastbound departs for Miami Beach via Exit 2D. Interstate 95 meanwhile continues for its final two miles into downtown Miami, concluding at U.S. 1 to the northeast of Coral Gables. Photo taken by Justin Cozart (06/03).
Original, sequential exit numbers were in place at the time this 2001 photo of Interstate 95 southbound at Interstate 395 eastbound was taken. Note also that the Exit 5 panel for Interstate 395 was replaced with the exit renumbering project of 2002. Photo taken by Andy Field (01/01).
Perspective from Interstate 95 north
After passing through downtown Miami, northbound Interstate 95 approaches Exit 2D, Junction Interstate 395 east to Miami Beach and Exit 3A, Junction Florida 836/Dolphin Expressway west. Interstate 95 maintains six lanes of traffic through the Interstate 395/Florida 836 stack interchange; the left lane departs to Florida 836 west, while the right lane exits to Interstate 395 east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
The right lane becomes exit only for Interstate 395 east from northbound Interstate 95 in Miami. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Exit 2D for Interstate 395 east departs Interstate 95 northbound. Interstate 395, in conjunction with Florida A1A, the MacArthur Causeway, allows traffic to cross Biscayne Bay into south Miami Beach five miles to the east. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
After Exit 2D (Junction Interstate 395 east to Florida A1A), northbound Interstate 95 next approaches Exit 3A, Junction Florida 836/Dolphin Expressway west to Florida 826, Florida 821/Florida's Turnpike (Homestead Extension), and Interstate 75 north to the Alligator Alley. Use the Turnpike south to Key West; use Florida 826 north to Interstate 75 north and west to Naples and Tampa-St. Petersburg. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
This blanched overhead sign bridge advises of the pending junction with Interstate 195, the second major route leading east to Miami Beach. At this point, Interstate 95 rises on its viaduct to pass through the maze of ramps that form the Florida 836 and Interstate 395. The highest point in the interchange is the ramp connecting westbound Interstate 395 to westbound Florida 836 and southbound Interstate 95. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Shortly thereafter, northbound Interstate 95 reaches Exit 3A, Junction Florida 836/Dolphin Expressway west to the Miami International Airport, Florida 826/Palmetto Expressway, and Florida's Turnpike (Homestead Extension). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Eastern Terminus - U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard and Florida A1A/MacArthur Causeway - Miami, Florida
Perspective from MacArthur Causeway west
The beginning of Interstate 395 from the end of the MacArthur Causeway westbound. Exit 2 departs for U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard, with Interstate 395 signed as simply "TO Interstate 95/Florida 836". Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
Perspective from Interstate 395 and Florida 836 east
Exit 2A departs for U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard from the inner carriageway of Interstate 395 east, the carriageway that continues Florida 836 east across Interstate 95. Traffic continuing straight enters the MacArthur Causeway across Biscayne Bay. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
Interstate 395 ends sign, posted just past the Exit 2A gore point as seen from the U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard off-ramp. The two carriageways from Interstate 95 eastward merge together at this point and continue to Florida A1A. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/25/06).
A second perspective of the Interstate 395 ends sign depicted above. The MacArthur Causeway can be seen in the background as well as several high-rises that dominate the Miami Beach skyline. Florida A1A begins from here forward; Interstate 395 and Florida 836 come to an end. Photo taken by Justin Cozart (06/03).
Perspective from U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard south
Traveling south on U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, the interchange with Interstate 395 and Florida A1A is located just north of downtown Miami. A trailblazer for Florida A1A north (east) is the first advance signage on southbound U.S. 1 for the pending junction. (Note the "1" in the A1A shield is painted backward.) There is only one sign for Interstate 395 (see next photobox). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Shortly thereafter is this guide sign for Interstate 95 (North-South Expressway) and Florida 836 (Dolphin East-West Expressway). Use Interstate 395 west to connect to both routes. Use Florida A1A north (east) to Miami Beach. Until 1999, U.S. 41 was cosigned with Florida A1A; however, shields for the federal route have been removed, and new "END U.S. 41 EAST" shields are placed in downtown Miami along eastbound S.E. 8th Street at the intersection with U.S. 1/Brickell Avenue. Note the Interstate 395 shield assembly behind the construction equipment. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
This is the sole Interstate 395 trailblazer shield on southbound U.S. 1 just prior to N.E. 15th Street. After passing under the Miami people mover, the junction with Interstate 395 is located three blocks south; turn west via making a left onto N.E. 12th Street. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Southbound U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard meets N.E. 12th Street, which offers the connection to Interstate 395 west to Florida 836 and Interstate 95. Notably, Interstate 395 is not signed here. The interchange with Interstate 395 is partially served by frontage roads; in this case, N.E. 12th Street acts as a frontage road, feeding traffic onto the Miami freeway system via Interstate 395. Turn right (west) here on Traveling south on U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, the interchange with Interstate 395 and Florida A1A is located just north of downtown Miami. A trailblazer for Florida A1A north (east) is the first advance signage on southbound U.S. 1 for the pending junction. There are no signs for Interstate 395. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Perspective from N.E. 12th Street west
After turning west on N.E. 12th Street from U.S. 1/Biscayne Boulevard, the street splits. Merge left to join Interstate 395/Florida 836 west to Interstate 95; merge right to connect with Interstate 95 north. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Colorful murals decorate the pillars that support the Interstate 395 viaduct as it crosses over several urban blocks north of downtown Miami. This road follows the link from westbound N.E. 12th Street to westbound Interstate 395/Florida 836 to Interstate 95 south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
The ramp from N.E. 12th Street to Interstate 395 and Florida 836 has one traffic signal, at the intersection with N.E. 1st Avenue. After that, the surface street leads up onto the ramp connecting to Interstate 395 west. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman and Justin Cozart (03/26/06).
Footnotes:
"Plan to raze I-395, build anew gains momentum: High-powered committee seems on verge of first step" Miami Herald, July 9, 2003.
Learned, Jason. "Interstate Guide - Florida I-195, I-395, I-595." Personal email, November 25, 2003.
