Welcome to the Florida Keys Newsroom

NewKeysRoad01
Traffic rolls Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Key Largo, Fla., on the southern portion of the 18-Mile Stretch, a facet of U.S. Highway 1 that connects South Florida with the Florida Keys. On Wednesday, Florida Department of Transportation officials marked the completion of the almost seven-year, $330 million construction project that provides a safer drive to and from the Keys. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

NewKeysRoad1
A parade of cars roll cross the new Jewfish Creek Bridge on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway in Key Largo, Fla., after dedication ceremonies Thursday, May 22, 2008. The northbound lanes, left, will carry traffic, in both directions to and from the South Florida mainland, until the bridge is fully completed later this year. The $93 million bridge is a facet of a $300 million project to build a new and safer "18-mile Stretch" into the Keys. The partial opening of the bridge heralds the mid-way mark of the entire road project that is to be finished in early 2011. NO SALES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

NewKeysRoad02
Amy Pierson, left, and Ken Mausolf ride in a convertible car Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, near Key Largo, Fla., on the southern portion of the 18-Mile Stretch, a facet of U.S. Highway 1 that connects South Florida with the Florida Keys. Wednesday, Florida Department of Transportation officials marked the completion of the almost seven-year, $330 million construction project that provides a safer drive to and from the Keys. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

NewKeysRoad2
This picture shows a panorama view of the new Jewfish Creek Bridge on the Florida Keys Overseas  Highway in Key Largo, Fla., Thursday, May 22, 2008. Following a late afternoon dedication ceremony, the northbound section of the bridge opened to two-way traffic Thursday night. The $93 million, 1 1/4-mile-long bridge is a facet of a $300 million project to build a new and safer 18-mile segment of U.S. Highway 1 that connects the Keys with the southern Florida mainland. The partial opening of the bridge heralded the mid-way mark of the entire road project that is set to be finished in early 2011. NO SALES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

NewKeysRoad03
Traffic rolls Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, on the middle portion of the 18-Mile Stretch, a facet of U.S. Highway 1 that connects South Florida with the Florida Keys. On Wednesday, Florida Department of Transportation officials marked the completion of the almost seven-year, $330 million construction project that provides a safer drive to and from the Keys. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

NewKeysRoad3
Amy Pierson, left, and Ken Mausolf drive on the new "18-mile Stretch" near Key Largo, Fla.,  that connects the Florida Keys to the South Florida mainland Thursday, May 22, 2008. The new road features a concrete median barrier to help eliminate head-on collisions. The barrier's Belize blue color was chosen by marine artist Wyland to match Florida Keys' waters and skies. About half of the $300 million project, including much of a new bridge over Jewfish Creek, has been completed with the remainder of the project set to culminate in early 2011. NO SALES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

NewKeysRoad04
Traffic rolls Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Key Largo, Fla., on the southern portion of the 18-Mile Stretch, a facet of U.S. Highway 1 that connects South Florida with the Florida Keys. On Wednesday, Florida Department of Transportation officials marked the completion of the almost seven-year, $330 million construction project that provides a safer drive to and from the Keys. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)