FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (September 26, 2007) – Beginning Monday, October 1st, late morning, one of the three southbound, toll plaza lanes entering Florida’s Turnpike at the Commercial Boulevard Interchange will be closed until the end of this year.

Because Commercial Boulevard is already a congested plaza, cash customers are encouraged to use the Sunrise Boulevard Interchange (Exit 58) as their alternate route during construction. In mid-September message boards were set up on eastbound and westbound Commercial Boulevard near the entrance to the toll plaza, advising drivers of the upcoming closure.  Motorist alert leaflets are also being handed out at the Commercial Boulevard Plaza. These leaflets are advising customers of the upcoming closure as well as encouraging cash customers to use the Sunrise Boulevard Interchange (Exit 58) as their alternate

There are four phases of construction which will take place at the Commercial Boulevard Toll Plaza over the next three months. The closed, southbound entry lane will vary with each of the four phases of construction. The first three phases are projected to last two weeks each and the last phase will last about six weeks.

The lane closures at the plaza are necessary to rebuild the plaza ramps. The ramps are being modified to accommodate the widening of the Turnpike underneath. This work is part of the multi-year, multi-million dollar “Turnpike Widening Program,” in Broward County, which began February 2006.