I-395 Eastbound Closed Due to Structural Damage (Update: It’s Back Open)

At the moment, drivers have a single direct option to get to South Beach: The Julia Tuttle Causeway. With the Venetian Causeway still days away from reopening after a nine-month closure to fix structural problems, a portion of I-395 between the Palmetto Expressway and the MacArthur Causeway experienced structural problems of its own this morning, leading to its eastbound lanes being temporarily closed. 

Update: The road has now been reopened. 

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Luckily, the overpass’ problems are minor. According to Local 10, a bridge joint became loose around 7:40 this morning. At least four cars suffered flat tires, while others had undercarriage and rim damage. 

The incident happened just west of Biscayne Boulevard. 

Traffic closed on I-395 at I-95 exit after bridge joint became loose or fell off https://t.co/TKFCDkksiY pic.twitter.com/dgXfUwN39z

— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) February 26, 2016

Workers are fixing the problem and hope to have the situation under control and the bridge open by afternoon rush hour. 

However, the South Beach Food & Wine Festival kicked off in Miami Beach at 1 p.m. today, intensifying the traffic woes. 

Drivers heading to Miami Beach are urged to avoid the Dolphin Expressway/836 eastbound and use the Airport Expressway/112, I-195/Julia Tuttle, or the JFK/79th Street Causeway instead.