The ('''HEFT'''), assigned the '''State Road 821''' ('''SR 821''') designation by the
Florida Department Of Transportation , is a southern extension of the
Tolled Florida's Turnpike , running around the north and west sides of the
Miami to end at
Florida City (near
Homestead ). It was built in 1974, after the main line of the Turnpike was completed, and is used by both
Commuter s and travelers to the
Florida Keys and
Everglades . Due to its path, it acts as a ''de facto'' outer
Beltway for Miami.
The HEFT has always used mile-based
Exit Number s and a
Coin System of tolls, and has in part been responsible for changes to those systems on the rest of the Turnpike. Unlike the rest of the Turnpike, with tolls every 45 miles on average, the extension has tolls every 12 miles, with a much higher traffic load. Unlike other
Florida's Turnpike Enterprise highways, it is treated as if it were part of the main line Florida's Turnpike highway by highway signs and exit numbers, despite its separate state route number.
