Via Tallahasee Democrat

Despite the monumental task of evacuating 1.5 million residents and visitors from the threat of Hurricane Matthew, Florida’s network of roadways remained at 40 percent of capacity.

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold said he hoped those road conditions continue, but he did not rule out a spike in traffic as Matthew inched closer to the state.

“We’re bound to see another spike in traffic but we’re hoping, knock on wood, that we don’t have any problems,” Boxold said. “We’ll just have to see.”

Stretches of Florida’s interstate system faced several bottlenecks due to stalled vehicles and minor traffic crashes. But those problems were cleared up with the help of the state’s roadside assistance team known as the Road Rangers and the Florida Highway Patrol.

“Most of the reasons we see bottlenecks is from small issues – a car ran out of gas,” Boxold said. “For that we call out a Road Ranger, get them out of the way and get traffic flowing again.”

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