COULD THE KEYS SEE MORE TURN LANES ON U.S. 1?

More turn lanes could be on the way for sections of U.S. 1 seeing congestion with traffic slowed to less than ideal speeds. 

In the Upper Keys, 10 sections of road were identified as needing improvements to accommodate not only motorists but also the 3,000 truck drivers traveling in and out of the Keys daily. 

Last month, the Florida Department of Transportation released its freight improvement study for Monroe County. With freight and logistics an essential function to the Florida Keys economy — more than 1.4 million tons of goods worth $2 billion are trucked in annually — FDOT began to investigate freight mobility today and into the future along U.S. 1. The study, which was recently presented to county commissioners and Islamorada council members, delved into existing conditions on U.S. 1 while identifying improvements through traffic signal timing and additional turn lanes to allow vehicles to continue without slowing down. 

Overall, 26 road segments in the Keys were identified as needing improvements to preserve and enhance mobility on U.S. 1. Of those highway sections, several proposed enhancements within the study are located in Islamorada.

John Schnettler, consultant for FDOT, told Islamorada council members at an Oct. 8 meeting that no additional through lanes are in the proposals. Rather, FDOT is seeking to extend right and left turn lanes on Lower Matecumbe Key. On Upper Matecumbe Key, a northbound right lane is proposed at MM 80.4 and northbound and southbound turn lanes north to MM 83.7. 

As for Windley Key, plans show five northbound turn lanes, two southbound turn lanes and one northbound left turn lane between MM 84.8 and MM 85.5. Extension of a southbound right turn lane is proposed between MM 86.3 and MM 86.6, as well as a northbound right turn lane extension between MM 87.4 and MM 89.1 on Plantation Key. 

Schnettler said these segments of the highway are operating below the target level in terms of speed and mobility on the three Keys. A 2023 Arterial Travel Time and Delay study gave these sections D or E grades, with median travel speeds below the posted speed limit. Deficient segments include MM 79.5 to 84 on Upper Matecumbe Key, MM 84 and MM 86 on Windley Key and MM 86 to MM 91.5 on Plantation Key. 

“FDOT is coordinating with its internal offices, design and traffic and others, as well as the district’s project scoping committee responsible for advancing projects into the work program,” Schnettler said. “Those groups will be accessing the possible inclusion or addition of these projects into other planned improvements along U.S. 1 and getting these actions into the district’s work plan.”

Word of possible added turn lanes through Islamorada brought some concerns from the business community in the heart of Islamorada, where many hold leases with FDOT to allow patrons to park on the right-of-way. Village Manager Rob Cole shared those concerns with Schnettler and FDOT during the Oct. 8 meeting. 

“We’ll want to be cognizant of what plans may or may not have to do with future parking in those areas,” Cole said. “When we think about moving freight and motoring public, we have a unique area in that we have businesses very close to the U.S. 1 right-of-way. We have a bike path sitting just outside and on the right-of-way.”

One Islamorada business was recently in jeopardy of losing its lease for parking. Green Turtle Inn was initially notified FDOT wouldn’t renew a lease. For some, it was a potential sign of things to come amid possible plans to add turning lanes. 

Eventually, Green Turtle Inn was notified that its lease was extended for five years. 

Judy Hull, Islamorada Chamber of Commerce executive director, told Keys Weekly the recent developments surrounding Green Turtle Inn are a good indicator that leases businesses have for parking on the right-of-way will stay intact despite the turning lane plans. 

“No one saw this on the horizon,” Hull said of FDOT’s plans. 

Daniel Lameck, FDOT freight and logistics manager, said the study was the first step in a “very long staircase” in relation to any enhancements.

“We want a working relationship from this point to construction of the proposed improvements,” Lameck said.  

FDOT is also seeking to add northbound and southbound left turn lanes on Long Key. Schnettler said the addition of turn lanes would eliminate through traffic delays from vehicles stopping to make a left turn off U.S. 1. On Fiesta Key, FDOT is seeking to install a northbound turn lane at Gulf Shore Boulevard to address traffic delays. 

Lameck said the freight study in Monroe County will go to FDOT’s scoping committee to decide which projects would fit future working plans. Lameck said it’s an internal meeting to determine whether the projects can be implemented as proposed for the Keys. The meeting could take place in early 2025. 

Councilwoman Elizabeth Jolin, who also shared concerns about the lack of room for turn lanes and how it could encroach on businesses, asked how the community is engaged throughout the process. Schnettler replied that FDOT will have continuous interaction with the public and stakeholders through the project development process.