County Votes Down US1 Widening

Commissioners unanimously voted down an FDOT proposal that would have widened the 108-mile Overseas Highway after hearing from residents and other politicians.

From left, County Commissioners Holly Raschein, Michelle Lincoln, Mayor Jim Scholl, David Rice and Craig Cates voted unanimously to kill FDOT plans to widen the Overseas Highway.

Monroe County commissioners have unanimously rejected a proposal to allow the widening of U.S. 1, voting down an ordinance that would have amended the county’s comprehensive plan to permit third and fourth traffic lanes in unincorporated areas of the Florida Keys.

The decision came Wednesday after hours of public testimony in Key Largo, where residents and local leaders argued that expanding the Overseas Highway would harm the islands’ fragile environment and small-town character.

“All five commissioners said they could not support the changes, especially after hearing from the public and receiving public comment throughout the week,” the board said in a joint statement.

The proposal, backed by the Florida Department of Transportation, sought more flexibility in addressing congestion on the 108-mile Overseas Highway, the only road linking Key West to the mainland.

But commissioners sided with residents, who said adding lanes would fuel development pressure without solving bottlenecks at bridges and intersections.

Islamorada Vice Mayor Don Horton told commissioners that four-laning through his village “would just be devastating to our businesses and our way of life.”

Commissioner Michelle Lincoln said she supported targeted fixes such as adding turn lanes where needed and pointed to FDOT’s exploration of a ferry system as a possible way to cut traffic, and urged investment in better transit options for commuters traveling from Big Pine and Big Coppitt keys.

Commissioner Holly Raschein pressed for early public involvement before future transportation decisions.

The Planning Commission had already recommended against the ordinance, calling it inconsistent with the county’s growth management policies.

For now, Monroe County staff will continue working with FDOT to identify alternatives that improve traffic flow without expanding the footprint of U.S. 1.