Published on Sunday, May 20, 2007
in the Miami Herald

Lane closures on Interstate 95 causes traffic chaos in downtown Miami

Driving conditions took a turn for the worse Sunday morning after heavy rain in South Florida caused numerous car accidents and lane closures along Interstate 95.

Near downtown Miami exits, at least three car crashes caused additional delays.

Florida Highway Patrol officials also shut down two northbound lanes of I-95. They included the Eighth Street exit and the ramp to Interstate 395 and Miami Beach. The massive flooding made it impossible to drive through, said FHP Duty Officer Tania Clark.

''Water is so deep in that area that only one lane is open for driving,'' Clark said.

Along Biscayne Boulevard, several intersection were flooded. Among the worse flooding was in front of the new Miami Center for the Performing Arts Center.

The highway patrol has dispatched workers out to the area to try to pump out the water and clear the way, Clark said.

''Everyone's been spinning out and hitting the wall, we've had so many of those calls this morning,'' Clark added.

Inclement weather also caused major flooding in parts of Broward County.