I-595 closes over the weekend for construction

DAVIE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A major portion of Interstate 595 is closed for the weekend.

Beginning Saturday at 11:30 p.m., I-595 will be completely closed to traffic for 24 hours.

Project Manager Paul Lampley is urging commuters to use alternate routes this weekend. "We will be diverting traffic at SR 84 westbound and we'll be taking them off at University Drive and sending them northbound. So we're advising people, if they can, to please use alternative routes, which are Broward Boulevard and Griffin Road," he said.

Crews are scheduled to begin lifting a flyover off its foundation and boost its height by 18 inches. The work on the eastbound flyover at University Drive involves about 50 workers and 24 hydraulic jacks. The delicate process is expected to take about 18 hours, or about an inch an hour.

Officials said once the project is completed, the southern point of the flyaway will connect with the new eastbound lanes.

Residents in the area are getting all their shopping done on Saturday to avoid leaving the house on Sunday. "We're trying to get everything done today, stay home tomorrow," said shopper Cole Lowder.

Another shopper, Glenn Marthe, said, "We should go tomorrow, but I figure we should knock it out today and not have to worry about that mess."

Kelly Marthe agreed. "We said we probably won't leave the house tomorrow, except to go to the gym," she said. "I guess I'm ready for it. I'm not going on it."

I-595 will reopen Sunday night at 11:30 p.m.

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