Site Navigation Alabama Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee     Snapper Creek Expressway Routing Florida 878 is the Snapper Creek Expressway, an east-west route that parallels Snapper Creek between Florida 874 (Don Shula Expressway) and U.S. 1/Florida 5 (Dixie Highway). The freeway generally passes through Kendall. For all of its 2.65 miles, the Snapper Creek Expressway is only four lanes wide, and it sports a narrow right of way. The median is basically only a Jersey barrier. Florida 878 begins at the Florida 874 split, has interchanges with S.W. 72nd Avenue and S.W. 87th Avenue. It ends at an at-grade intersection at U.S. 1. There is no interchange with Florida 826 (Palmetto Expressway). The Snapper Creek Expressway was originally planned to connect U.S. 1 with the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, simply by using Florida 878 west to Florida 874 south to the turnpike. History Like many other freeways in the Miami-Dade region, Florida 878/Snapper Creek Expressway was first proposed in the 1969 Miami Transportation Study. Unlike most other freeways in the Miami area, Florida 878 was constructed to the original specifications in the 1969 plan. It was built between 1978 and 1980 with gas tax funds. No major improvements have been made to the freeway corridor since it was completed. Many thanks to Justin Cozart and Jason Learned for the background information about Florida 878. See South Florida Roads (by Jason Learned) for more information. This information was originally posted on TropicalTurnpikes.com and is reproduced with permission by Justin Cozart. Florida 878 Eastbound After departing from northbound Florida 874 (Don Shula Expressway), Florida 878 (Snapper Creek Expressway) begins its eastbound journey toward Kendall and Pinecrest. The first exit along eastbound is the interchange with Florida 973 (S.W. 87th Avenue/Galloway Road). Photo taken 12/08/03. A roadside sign follows the overhead sign for Florida 973, which follows S.W. 87th Avenue north to Glenvar Heights and south to U.S. 1 near Howard. Photo taken 12/08/03. Eastbound Florida 878 (Snapper Creek Expressway) reaches the offramp for Florida 973 (S.W. 87th Avenue). Photo taken 12/08/03. View of the narrow right of way for Florida 878 as it winds its way east to South Miami. Photo taken 12/08/03. The next exit along eastbound is S.W. 72nd Avenue south to Dadeland Mall. S.W. 72nd Avenue also travels north, running parallel to Florida 826 (Palmetto Expressway). There is no direct connection from Florida 878 to Florida 826. Photo taken 12/08/03. Even though no tolls are collected on Florida 878, it is signed with a shield that is typically used in Florida to signify toll road. This is mostly because it is maintained by the Miami-Dade Expressway (MDX) Authority, and its primary connection to the east is to the MDX Authority network of toll roads and the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. However, it is possible to use extant portions of Florida 878 without having to pay a toll. Photo taken 12/08/03. After passing Florida 826 (no exit), Florida 878 approaches the ramp to S.W. 72nd Avenue. Photo taken 12/08/03. Eastbound Florida 878 reaches the offramp to S.W. 72nd Avenue. The final exit is for U.S. 1, Dixie Highway north to South Miami and south to Pinecrest. Photo taken 12/08/03. The final exit along Florida 878 eastbound is an intersection with a traffic signal, so all traffic must be prepared to stop ahead. Photo taken 12/08/03. The left three lanes turn north onto U.S. 1, while the right lane turns south onto U.S. 1. Florida 878 reaches its eastern terminus here as the freeway ends. Photo taken 12/08/03. Traffic lines up at the traffic signal at the end of Florida 878. Use U.S. 1/Dixie Highway northeast to Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. The overpass carries the Miami Metrorail over the intersection. Photo taken 12/08/03. Page Updated March 23, 2005.