State agrees to make safety changes at Indian Key Fill

The Florida Department of Transportation has agreed to lower the speed limit from 55 mph to 50 mph and improve signage between Mile Markers 78 and 80 in Islamorada after ongoing conversations with Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

Sheriff Rick Ramsay has been in recent contact with FDOT District Secretary James Wolfe regarding traffic safety concerns at the popular recreational area at Indian Key fill. This week, Secretary Wolf informed Sheriff Ramsay of the speed change. Specifically, the reduced speed will extend from the current point were westbound traffic leaves the 45 mph zone (about Mile Marker 80) to just west of the Indian Key Fill boat ramp west of Mile Marker 79. The same 50 mph zone will be instituted eastbound with the same limits.

FDOT also agreed to do the following:

  • Replace theSPEED LIMIT 45 NEXT 14 MILESsign for northbound traffic that’s located north of Tea Table Channel Bridge;
  • Extend the No Passing Zone for northbound traffic by approximately 150 feet at the north end of the no passing zone on Indian Key Channel Bridge;
  • Re-install the delineator posts at the parking and boat ramp access locations;
  • InstallNO PASSING ZONEand DO NOT PASS signs at the south end of Indian Key Channel Bridge for northbound traffic.

Motorists should be aware and see these changes within 30 days, according to FDOT.

The natural beauty of the area makes has made it a very popular recreational spot for residents and tourists alike for years, however Sheriff Ramsay has long expressed the need for safety changes in the area. Sheriff Ramsay’s concerns were tragically laid bare again on March 5 of this year when four Spanish tourists lost their lives in a car crash.

Sheriff Ramsay thanked Secretary Wolfe for working with the Sheriff’s Office on the issue.

“This area of Islamorada is beautiful and many of our residents and tourists enjoy swimming, barbecuing and other recreational activities there; some of them for generations,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay said. “Unfortunately, that same beauty also leads motorists to focus less on traffic. It also leads to other traffic issues given vehicles are coming and going along the major highway. I’m proud that we were able to come together with our partners at FDOT to effect necessary safety changes. I also want to thank Secretary Wolfe for working with me and agreeing that changes were in order. These new changes hopefully will make the area more safe across the board for everyone. Our deputies will continue to closely monitor the area. If further changes are needed we are always willing to go back to the table with FDOT. The safety of our residents and our visitors will always remain our priority.”

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