By Coral Gables Gazette staff
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin a multi-corridor roadway improvement project in Coral Gables on Monday, Jan. 5, affecting portions of Bird Road and LeJeune Road that serve as major east–west and north–south arteries through the city.
According to project details released by FDOT, construction will take place along two state road corridors: State Road 976, also known as Bird Road or SW 40 Street, and State Road 953 and State Road 952, commonly known as LeJeune Road or SW 42 Avenue. Work will be completed in phases, with lane closures scheduled primarily during non-peak hours to limit disruption.
Corridors included in the project
On Bird Road, the project limits extend from east of Laguna Street to west of SW 38 Avenue. On LeJeune Road, construction will run from South Dixie Highway north to Altara Avenue.
Both corridors carry heavy daily traffic and provide access to nearby schools, residential neighborhoods, and commercial areas. FDOT said access to businesses and residences will be maintained at all times, with detours posted when required.
Lane closure schedules
FDOT has outlined separate lane closure windows for each roadway.
On Bird Road (SW 40 Street), eastbound lanes may be closed at night from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. on weekdays. Westbound lane closures are scheduled nightly from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays.
On LeJeune Road (SW 42 Avenue), lane closures are expected daily between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Additional nighttime closures are scheduled from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
FDOT said lane closure information will be updated weekly and posted at southflroads.com. Drivers are also encouraged to check fl511.com for real-time traffic and lane closure updates.
What to expect
Construction will be phased to reduce impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. Temporary lane closures may occur during scheduled windows, but FDOT said traffic flow will be managed through signage and marked detours when necessary.
The department cautioned that schedules may change due to weather or other unforeseen conditions and urged drivers to use caution when traveling through construction zones.
Planned improvements and project benefits
FDOT said the project is intended to improve safety, mobility, and infrastructure resiliency along both corridors. Planned roadway improvements include repaving and restriping, along with reconstruction of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.
Safety upgrades include new and improved pedestrian signage, installation of a signalized midblock pedestrian crossing, and ground-mounted “No Turn on Red” signs at selected intersections. Green-colored pavement markings and signage will be added at trail crossings to improve visibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
The project also includes drainage system improvements aimed at enhancing resiliency, as well as technology upgrades. FDOT plans to replace traffic and pedestrian signals, install traffic video detection systems, and add a new traffic monitoring site along the corridors.
Additional information and contacts
Residents with questions about the project can contact Construction Community Outreach Specialist Annabella Vizcaino at 786-510-6113 or by email at Annabella.Vizcaino@dot.state.fl.us. Additional project updates and lane closure notices will be posted online as construction progresses.
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
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