The purpose of conducting the PD&E Study is to address existing and projected operating deficiencies along this section of I-95 including mainline capacity, interchange geometry and ramp terminals. In order to keep up with the growing traffic demand within the study area, multiple alternatives including a No-Build Alternative will be considered. The proposed system modifications examined in the PD&E study will advance the FDOT efforts in three major areas:

• The proposed design will remedy a number of deficiencies, which have been identified within the corridors.
• The proposed improvements will improve the safety of the corridor.
• The improvements are consistent with the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), I-95 Master Plan and
I-95 Corridor Planning Study which have been developed for this area.

Before the PD&E study can begin, local community leaders identify the need for a specific transportation improvement, in this case the widening of I-95. This needed improvement was identified in the LRTP, which was adopted by the Broward and Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO). These MPO's serve all of Broward and Palm Beach County respectively.

Now that this need has been defined, the FDOT started the PD&E Study. It is during the PD&E Study that impacts of widening I-95 are identified and addressed. Also, strategies are developed which show how those impacts can be minimized. It is through this process that the project is "environmentally cleared", indicating that the identified impacts can be addressed, and eligible for federal funding.

Design activities follow this step, when construction documents are prepared. Based on this information, right-of-way acquisition can take place, followed by construction of the proposed improvements.

The No-Build Alternative proposes to keep the existing roadway and interchange configurations into the future years without improvements.  No traffic capacity, operation or safety improvements would be implemented throughout the corridors.  The effect associated with this alternative includes the acceptance of existing congested traffic conditions.  Also, travel demand and truck traffic will increase in future years, given the continued growth and new roadway projects in the area.  This alternative is considered to be viable during the public hearing and final selection phase to serve as a comparison to the study proposed alternative. 

The No-Build Alternative has a number of positive aspects, since it would not require expenditure of public funds for design, right-of-way acquisition, construction or utility relocation. Traffic would not be disrupted due to construction, therefore, avoiding inconveniences to local residents and businesses.  Also, there would be no direct or indirect impacts to the environment, the socio-economic characteristics, community cohesion or system linkage of the area.

However, the No-Build Alternative fails to fulfill the needs of this project for the area.  If no improvements are made, the I-95 corridor and surrounding area will experience heavy congestion during the peak hours and will operate at undesirable level of services.  The congestion within the area will cause additional impacts to the interchanges and cross streets.  Such impacts may include excessive delays in travel time, poor interstate access, large reduction of average travel speeds, excess fuel consumption from idling vehicles, increased air pollutants (particularly hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide) and a potential increase in rear-end, left-turn and sideswipe collisions.

I-95, within the study limits, consists of a total of eight lanes; three general purpose lanes and one High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction. Auxiliary lanes exist at selected locations.  An auxiliary lane is defined as a travel lane adjacent to the primary lanes along the highway between interchanges.  The purpose of an auxiliary lanes is to facilitate highway traffic flow between the on and off-ramps (see Figure 1).

Build Alternative #1 was the developed and recommended alternative during the I-95 Corridor Planning Study currently underway. The I-95 corridor improvements proposed by the I-95 Corridor Planning Study included the following elements (see Figure 2):

• Replace the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane with a High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane. HOT lanes are also known as express lanes.
• Add one HOT lane for a total of two express lanes in each direction in the median.
• Add access points at selected locations along the corridor to enter and exit the express lanes system.
• Implement a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). A BRT is an express bus service that will operate within the express lanes system.
• Maintain the existing number of general purpose lanes.

Modifications to the Corridor Planning Study recommendations for the I-95 corridor may be required to design Alternative #1 to the current Level of Service (LOS) standards.

Other viable alternatives may be developed as the project progresses.