Traffic update following University City Bridge collapse

Michelle Marchante/News Director

UPDATE 3/24/18 10:44 a.m.:

The Florida Highway Patrol has reopen the area where the University City Bridge collapsed Saturday morning.

Southwest Eighth Street from 107th Ave. to 117th Ave. has reopen  to eastbound and westbound traffic, however officials are asking motorists to remain cautious while driving through the area.

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Eighth Street from 107 to 117th Avenue will remain closed indefinitely until further notice following the collapse of the newly-installed 950-ton section of the University City Bridge, which left six people dead and multiple injured.

Students, faculty and staff commuting to– and from– the Modesto Maidique campus should expect delays and plan for additional travel time. Those traveling by the Golden Panther Express, CATS or other University shuttles should also plan for additional travel time as delays may occur due to heavier traffic in and around campus.

The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair is also operating in Tamiami Park so traffic congestion is expected. It’s recommended students, faculty and staff carpool when possible or use ride-sharing apps such as Uber, Lyft or FIU’s RideFlag app. The University also mentioned in an email sent out by External Relations on Tuesday, March 21, that police may temporarily restrict access to certain turn lanes and garages at different times throughout the week to adjust the flow of traffic and minimize delays.

So, how can you get to/out of campus?

UPDATE 3/21/18 8:40 a.m.:

The Student Government Association at the Modesto Maidique campus will be holding a vigil for the victims of the bridge collapse at 10 a.m. in the Graham Center Ballrooms and participants will walk after the vigil to the memorial site located on SW 107 Ave and 8th St. to leave flowers and other remembrance items. During this walk, traffic flow will be halted so pedestrians can cross Campus Drive at 108 Ave. to the memorial site. View map below for route:

Photo retrieved from email sent by Media Relations on Wednesday, March 21.

The University asks motorists to avoid the area from 11-11:30 a.m. The east entrance to PG5 will also be closed during this time.

Uber is also offering 50 percent off Uber POOL or Express POOL trips to and from MMC until Tuesday, March 27, according to an email sent out by External Relations Wednesday morning, with savings of up to $10 per trip. To get this discount, open the Uber app, choose Payment>Promotions>Add Promo/Gift Code and type in FIUCOMMUTE.

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-Starting Wednesday, March 21, vehicles will be unable to exit campus through Lot 24 (small lot east of Riccardo Silva Stadium) onto Coral Way (SW 24 St.) because of The Fair.

-You can now go westbound on SW 8th St. through the SW 112th Ave. exit.

-The Florida Turnpike’s eastbound exits are still closed. Commuters taking the Turnpike should use the exits located on SW 40th St. or NW 12th St.

-If you are going to the west side of campus, FIU recommends you enter campus through SW 117th Ave and SW 17 St. or SW 11th St.

-If you are going to the east side of campus, FIU recommends you enter through SW 107th Ave. and SW 16th St.

-A pedestrian walkway opened Tuesday, March 20, across 8th St. and 109th Ave. to 109 Tower.

-All parking garages and lots, except for Lot 5, are open at the Modesto Maidique campus. Lot 5 is closed because of a contract with the Fair.

-At least six shuttles are operating between Lot 3 and 4th Street Commons.

-109 Tower and 4th Street Commons shuttles will run 24-hours a day until further notice.

-CATS shuttles also have a temporary new route (Please view image below)

Temporary CATS route following the collapse of the University City Bridge. Photo retrieved from the email sent out to the University Community by External Relations on Tuesday, March 20.

Student Media will continuously update this article as the traffic situation changes.

Feature Image by Nicole Malanga/PantherNOW