Traffic delay between Port Canaveral and Orlando.

[snelsonbrown]

Prayers to all who have been touched by this tragic accident. Just another reminder that we should all live today as it may be our last and remember to treat each other with love and kindness.

I totally agree with you on this for we never know what the next minutes will bring.
Now to those that will be coming over here - this is the information on our headlines this morning.
If anyone has any concern or feel they need help, always remember you can call on Norm and I to help my cell number is still 321-508-2246

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110122/NEWS01/101220317/1006/DOT++Overpass+needs+to+be+rebuilt

thoughts and prayers go to all of those affected by this tragic accident

 

[tj4disney]

Just read one of those news articles from the local paper, and it seemed to indicate that while the bridge will be down for 30-35 days, they would merely route traffic around it via the off and on ramps right there at the parkway. Will that make a lengthier detour necessary?

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Just read one of those news articles from the local paper, and it seemed to indicate that while the bridge will be down for 30-35 days, they would merely route traffic around it via the off and on ramps right there at the parkway. Will that make a lengthier detour necessary?

The FL DOT will meet with contractors to receive bids and develop a plan to replace either one or both of the bridge spans across State Route 3.

Since the Beachline (Route 528) and Route 3 are highly traveled throughout the day, the traffic patterns to reroute around the bridge will be affected. For the next month, at least, it will take longer to go around the problem. How much longer, nobody knows at this point.

 

[dahuffy]

This is another reason why we don't fly in the day of a cruise.

 

[Mozart]

Can someone tell me exactly where this took place? I don't know the area all that well, other than 528 and I-95. If I take 95 all the way down to 528, will I run into this as I head for the ship?

 

[grits98]

Good luck and please stay safe - Norm and I missed this accident by less than 15 minutes - someone was with us that is for sure and thanks again for posting this

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic/crs_h407.htm

That was so kind of you to offer guidance to anyone who might need it! I'm glad ya'll avoided the accident. And, although we aren't cruising anytime soon, it's so nice to know there are kind people like ya'll on the Board!

.

 

[kcashner]

This was so big that it made our local news 1000 miles away! Even after having read it here first, I was amazed at the footage.

And yes, this is another good reason to be in Orlando the day before a cruise, and to be at the terminal plenty early! A 3 a pm arrival at port is just too risky!

 

[izzinmac]

Can someone tell me exactly where this took place? I don't know the area all that well, other than 528 and I-95. If I take 95 all the way down to 528, will I run into this as I head for the ship?

Yes, you will. The overpass is on 528 East of US 1, which is east of I95. It is after you cross the first bridge but before the second.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Fortunately, media reports are that the eastbound traffic to Port Canaveral from Route 3 is now moving. Updates forthcoming on how rerouting will work starting Monday.

 

[*love*2*shop]

The Merritt Island overpass was significantly damaged, and officials said fixing the bridge could take nearly a month.
Traffic patterns will be affected in the area:
• SR-528 (Beachline) -- Drivers in both directions will use the off-ramps and on-ramps at the overpass as through lanes.
• SR-3 (Courtenay Parkway) remains closed under the overpass during the construction.
The overpass is just south of the Kennedy Space Center. Authorities said detours will be in place to move northbound and southbound traffic around the crash scene and the eventual construction.



• Northbound drivers on SR-3:
o Take SR-528 eastbound to Banana River Drive.
o Turn left to go north on Banana River Drive.
o Turn left at Sea Ray Drive, taking it all the way back to SR-3.


• Southbound drivers on SR-3:
o Take SR-528 westbound to U.S. 1.
o Turn left to go south on U.S. 1.
o Take the first left to get back onto SR-528, taking it eastbound back to SR-3.



Both detours are about 2.5 miles out of the way and then back again, turning what would normally be a five-second drive under the overpass into at least a 10-minute diversion.

 

[truck1]

Drove it today at about 130pm and Ill be perfectly honest that they did a real good job on the 528 detour. The speed never drops below about 30 mph and there are several people directing traffic and also there are a ton of cones to keep you pointed in the right direction,and narrowed down to 1 lane, on both sides of the 528. Its basically, you get pointed at the exit, drive down the exit, then straight across the 3 then right back up the entrance again to the 528. Considering the DCL busses were still using it both directions, Id be cautiously optimistic in saying that there really isnt that much of a delay in getting to the port. Even still, Id allow for at leasst 30-45 minutes extra, just in case. Theres also a bunch of dump trucks there, removing debris, etc. I think DOT already has several contractors on extended contracts, for issues like this and its more of finding one of those in the rotation, that has the equipment right now to start a big project like this yesterday as opposed to next month.

 

[truck1]

Can someone tell me exactly where this took place? I don't know the area all that well, other than 528 and I-95. If I take 95 all the way down to 528, will I run into this as I head for the ship?

Its less then 5 miles from the port according to the road signs.

 

[jilljill]

Drove it today at about 130pm and Ill be perfectly honest that they did a real good job on the 528 detour. The speed never drops below about 30 mph and there are several people directing traffic and also there are a ton of cones to keep you pointed in the right direction,and narrowed down to 1 lane, on both sides of the 528. Its basically, you get pointed at the exit, drive down the exit, then straight across the 3 then right back up the entrance again to the 528. Considering the DCL busses were still using it both directions, Id be cautiously optimistic in saying that there really isnt that much of a delay in getting to the port. Even still, Id allow for at leasst 30-45 minutes extra, just in case. Theres also a bunch of dump trucks there, removing debris, etc. I think DOT already has several contractors on extended contracts, for issues like this and its more of finding one of those in the rotation, that has the equipment right now to start a big project like this yesterday as opposed to next month.

Thanks for the info on the detour.

 

[*love*2*shop]

if its such an easy detour why do you recommend 30-45 extra minutes? ( we come in 2 weeks!)

Drove it today at about 130pm and Ill be perfectly honest that they did a real good job on the 528 detour. The speed never drops below about 30 mph and there are several people directing traffic.Its basically, you get pointed at the exit, drive down the exit, then straight across the 3 then right back up the entrance again to the 528. Considering the DCL busses were still using it both directions, Id be cautiously optimistic in saying that there really isnt that much of a delay in getting to the port. Even still, Id allow for at leasst 30-45 minutes extra, just in case.

 

[Grandma4ever]

if its such an easy detour why do you recommend 30-45 extra minutes? ( we come in 2 weeks!)

I am sure it was recommended because even thoough they found it easy it is still very possible that traffic can turn wicked at any time and cause major delays. No one is going to want to miss the ship because they did not allow enough time. So just to be sure that you do not get held up some where in route I would allow twice the time I had planned. Better yet stay in the port and you will be that much closer.

 

[zerog]

if its such an easy detour why do you recommend 30-45 extra minutes? (we come in 2 weeks!)

Of course, I always recommend to people to get to the cruise terminal as early as you possibly can - because basically, your vacation begins as soon as you reach the port. Heck, just seeing the ship is when most people really feel the excitement.

I took the detour this morning and there were no delays. However, this does not mean that there could be delays due to construction vehicles moving in/out or accidents due to the typical 'rubber-neckers.'

For those who have no choice but to arrive late, perhaps the thing to do is to call Disney ahead of time and express your concerns about the construction/detour. Then in the worst case, if you DID have an unexpected delay, maybe there is a number you can call to inform DCL of the problem and maybe they would consider pushing the sail-away to a later time. I'm sure if one person were to be affected, then there would be others as well.

 

[truck1]

if its such an easy detour why do you recommend 30-45 extra minutes? ( we come in 2 weeks!)

Im erring on the side of caution, like what has been posted above.
Because at the time of day I traveld it, traffic was fairly light, but consistent, and everyone was behaveing and not trying to cut each other off. I can not guaruntee that at 1000 am, that there wont be a 2 mile back up, due to 3 big ships in port, and everyone leaving/entering the port area at the same time,or like what is supposed to happen tommorrow, that we have a major storm come thru, and slow everyone down.At the same time, Id expect a lot of cranes and construction equipment to be delivered to the area, and where it crosses the 3, I wouldnt be surprised if they have a periodic shutdown for a few minutes for equipment to cross.

Im with some of the other posters, in that we like to be at the port the day before,and spend the night, or get there first thing in the morn, to avoid a surprise.

 

[truck1]

Thanks for the info on the detour.

Your welcome.

 

[truck1]

Of course, I always recommend to people to get to the cruise terminal as early as you possibly can - because basically, your vacation begins as soon as you reach the port. Heck, just seeing the ship is when most people really feel the excitement.

I took the detour this morning and there were no delays. However, this does not mean that there could be delays due to construction vehicles moving in/out or accidents due to the typical 'rubber-neckers.'

For those who have no choice but to arrive late, perhaps the thing to do is to call Disney ahead of time and express your concerns about the construction/detour. Then in the worst case, if you DID have an unexpected delay, maybe there is a number you can call to inform DCL of the problem and maybe they would consider pushing the sail-away to a later time. I'm sure if one person were to be affected, then there would be others as well.

Thats a good idea. Im realatively certain that even though the latest you can board is 4pm, that DCL and the port in general, are in constant communications with DOT over what is happening, and will take steps to lessen the stress on cruisers and visitors, due to the unforseeable circumstances.

 

[inkkognito]

Hmmm, sounds like we'll be breaking our usual pattern and heading out to the Dream early on Weds. Lately we have just been packing the day of the cruise and heading out in the afternoon, after boarding is already underway. Now I think we'll aim for port opening time, just in case, because that leaves plenty of leeway for delays.