Free shuttles now rolling in Miami, and major streets closing for roadwork

A new free shuttle service is now running along the Miami corridor of Northwest 79th Street and Seventh Avenue, connecting riders to businesses, shops, restaurants and Metrorail.

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The service, started by South Florida transit firm Prokel Mobility, features two routes. Property taxes fund the service.

“This is an investment in both mobility and economic opportunity — helping residents reach the places they need to go while supporting businesses within the community,” said Kelly Gonzalez, the CEO of Prokel Mobility.

The service will use shuttle buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and have areas to secure wheelchairs, Gonzalez said.

Riders wait for the shuttle at designated stops, and no reservation, account or fare is needed. Gonzalez says that “for added convenience,” riders can download the free RideKel app and track the shuttles along their routes to help plan their trip better.

“This is the first service of its kind” in the area, and this model has already been operating in the cities of Tamarac, Coral Springs and North Miami Beach, according to Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said the service will allow people who live in the area to easily get to restaurants stores and jobs, and “allow more opportunities for the local economy to grow.”

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The shuttles began operating on Friday, Oct. 2.

Times of operation

• The eastbound 79th Street Connect shuttle runs from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. On Saturday, the shuttle runs from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

• The westbound 79th Street Connect shuttle runs from 8:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. weekdays. On Saturday, the shuttle runs from 8:20 a.m. to 9:40 p.m. and from 9:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. on Sunday.

• The northbound Uptown Express shuttle runs from 8:20 a.m. to 6:20 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturday, it runs from 8:20 a.m. to 9:40 p.m. and from 9:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. on Sunday.

• The southbound Uptown Express shuttle runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturday, it runs from 8 a.m. to 9:20 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

If you’re driving, take note of construction and lane closures across Miami-Dade and Broward counties:

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Miami-Dade County

• Miami Beach: Two lanes on northbound Alton Road between Lincoln Road and 17th Street will close from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Monday, Oct. 5. One northbound lane and all southbound traffic will remain open. To detour, drivers should turn left onto Dade Boulevard, then turn left onto West Avenue and turn left to access 17th Street.
• North Miami: On Northeast 135th Street from Northwest Second Avenue to Northeast 17th Avenue/Tressler Street, at least one eastbound lane will close from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. when the school zone is inactive. When the school zone is active, the closure will occur from 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., and again from 4:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Westbound, at least one lane will close from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the school zone is inactive. When the school zone is active, the closure will occur from 5 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. and again from 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. This construction is expected to be completed in the spring 2028.
• Miami: On Coral Way from Southwest 22nd to 17th avenues and from Southwest 12th Avenue to Brickell Avenue, at least one lane will close from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and weekends. Additional closures may take place for stormwater drainage work from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights.
• Miami: On Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, one eastbound left lane on State Road 836 from Northwest 12th Avenue to Interstate 95 will close from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for bridge foundation work.
• The Hammocks: At the intersection of Kendall Drive/Southwest 88th Street and Southwest 157th Avenue, at least one lane will close on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Additional closures will occur Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Broward County

• Deerfield Beach: The Northeast 48th Street bridge over I-95 will remain closed in both directions for reconstruction until summer 2027. Regional traffic will be redirected to roads such as Southwest 10th Street, Powerline Road, Dixie Highway and Sample Road, and local traffic will be redirected along Military Trail and Northeast Third Avenue.
• Deerfield Beach: Southbound I-95 between south of Southwest 10th Street and Sample Road will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, and Sunday, Oct. 11. One lane will close at 8 p.m. and all other lanes will be closed by 9 p.m., with all lanes reopening at 6 a.m.
• Parkland: Loxahatchee Road from Parkside Drive to U.S. 441 will close through this fall, and traffic will be detoured via Parkside Drive, Holmberg Road and U.S. 441.
• Lauderhill: Up to two lanes on Broward Boulevard from Northwest 34th Avenue to Southwest 28th Avenue will close Sunday through Thursday as needed from 7:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Pembroke Pines: Up to two lanes on University Drive from Pembroke Road to north of Johnson Street will close in each direction from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Friday. Additionally, one lane in each direction will close as needed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. This is for construction to add a seven-foot bicycle lane and a new path alongside University Drive. The work is expected to be completed in early 2030.