The Florida Department of Transportation has claimed victory against chronic traffic congestion on Interstate 95 -- at least northbound traffic in Miami-Dade -- thanks to the new toll express lanes.

In a two-page report sent to elected officials in Miami-Dade, the state transportation agency cited higher traffic speeds on the Miami-Dade stretch of the expressway, where electronic toll lanes have been operating since last year from Interstate 195 to the Golden Glades interchange.

According to the report, motorists who use the two variable-toll express lanes now travel at an average speed of 56 mph during rush hour -- 36 mph faster than before the lanes opened. Even drivers who use the four free lanes are traveling faster at peak times, the report said -- 42 mph instead of 20 mph.

The state defines the northbound ``peak period'' as 4 to 7 p.m.

``The program has dramatically improved the overall operational performance of I-95,'' the report said.

Speeds on I-95 have improved both because of the express lanes and because of the introduction of an entrance-ramp signaling system that delays vehicle entry onto the expressway depending on congestion levels. Ramp signaling began in February.

The report claimed that motorists were happy.

``Response from I-95 users (of both express lanes and local lanes) has been extremely positive,'' the report said.

However, some commuters remain dissatisfied -- particularly those who use surface roads near the entrance ramps where signals have been installed. These drivers argue that the congestion has been merely displaced to the side streets.

The state report said tolls on the northbound express lanes bring in $437,879 a month. Total revenue since Dec. 5, the date the lanes opened, to the end of May was put at $2.34 million.

Tolls, charged to SunPass accounts, vary depending on congestion levels. The more traffic in the express lanes, the higher the toll.

The report said the average weekday toll was 90 cents, with an average rush-hour toll of $1.85 and an average off-peak toll of 47 cents.

Southbound express lanes from the Golden Glades interchange, now under construction, are expected to open later this year or in early 2010, the report said.

The Department of Transportation's report was included in the 133-page agenda of the meeting of the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization scheduled for Thursday.

The meeting did not take place because of a lack of a quorum, and all agenda items were rolled over to the next meeting, on Oct. 29.

County commissioners, some mayors and other elected officials are members of the organization.