El Portal traffic circle work to shut down main intersection

EL PORTAL

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
El Portal's main intersection will soon be shut down as work begins on the village's traffic circle.

The intersection at Northeast Fourth Avenue Road and 87th Street will be closed throughout the roughly 70-day project, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Traffic will be detoured through the surrounding neighborhood.

The enhancement project along Northeast 87th Street, from Northeast Second Avenue to Northeast Fourth Avenue Road, is expected to start Nov. 16.

``The intent of this project is to slow or calm the traffic entering the existing traffic circle,'' FDOT spokeswoman Maria F. Palacios said in an e-mail.

Palacios said the project will increase safety for motorists and pedestrians.

The project includes new signs, an irrigation system, lightning, rumble strips and repaving the traffic circle.

Landscaping also will be added to the central island.

The tab for the project is about $52,000, which will be funded by federal stimulus funds.

Originally, FDOT had estimated the project to cost $125,000, but the price turned out lower after several bids.

Work will occur during daytime hours from 8 a.m. till 6 p.m.

The project is expected to be complete around January.

For lane closure information, go to www.fdotmiamidade.com.