By John Pacenti
A flood-prone stretch of State Road A1A in Delray Beach is getting a $2.2 million upgrade starting this summer.
The Florida Department of Transportation aims to bolster pedestrian safety, enhance storm drainage, and lay down new asphalt.
The 1.6-mile, two-phase project from Linton Boulevard to just south of Atlantic Avenue will address longstanding issues with the roadway that partially abuts Delray Beach’s award-winning Blue Flag beach.
The original design of the road had shallow swales paralleling it.
“This allowed the water some place to go as it runs off the paved area,” Fernando Gomez, a consultant with Allbright Engineering Inc., said at FDOT’s June 11 open house about the project.
“Through the years, with the residents adding landscaping and that type of work to their properties, many of them filled in that swale so it wasn’t performing.”
FDOT aims to restore a minimal swale and enhance the natural percolation to remove the water more quickly.
The project, which was to start in late June and go until spring 2026, comes at the tail end of another FDOT project immediately to the south — covering A1A in Delray Beach south of Linton and extending through all of Highland Beach — that populated the scenic drive with plastic barriers to protect property along the highway.
Besides repaving, upgrades will include safety measures such as installing rectangular flashing beacons at crosswalks, upgrading pedestrian signals and adding LED lighting at critical intersections.
There will be green bicycle markings at A1A and Linton Boulevard.
After initial public workshops, the team adjusted plans based on resident feedback, particularly regarding flooding and sidewalk concerns, Gomez said.
Traffic disruptions will occur from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with flaggers directing traffic as needed.
Sidewalk and curb ramp closures will be implemented as needed, with temporary pedestrian detours. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained at all times.
Phase 1 will kick off the infrastructure project with foundational groundwork. According to project details revealed in a recent public meeting, contractors will first focus on constructing new swales, concrete sidewalks, and pedestrian ramps. This initial stage will also include installing new signage and lighting, along with critical enhancements to traffic signaling.
The second phase will concentrate on the road surface itself. Contractors will mill and repave most of the roadway within the project’s 1.6-mile limits. This stage includes installing new pavement markings and implementing signal detection loops to improve traffic flow and safety.
The lighting along A1A is currently turtle-friendly because hatchlings can be attracted to artificial light. So, the challenge was how to upgrade pedestrian crossing locations without endangering beloved marine animals.
“So whatever lighting was added in that section of the project was done to match the existing decorative lighting. And all lighting, both existing and new, is turtle-friendly,” Gomez said.
A1A PROJECT DETAILS
• Milling and repaving A1A from Linton Boulevard to Casuarina Road, and at Nassau Street;
• Upgrading curb ramps and replacing sections of the existing sidewalk;
• Regrading swales on the east side of A1A between White Drive and Brooks Lane — and at Carissa Road — for enhanced drainage;
• Upgrading the pedestrian signal at A1A and Casuarina Road;
• Installing rectangular rapid flashing beacons for crosswalks at Rhodes Villa Avenue, Bucida Road, Anchor Park, Nassau Street, and north of Ingraham Avenue;
• Upgrading lighting to LED fixtures at Linton, Rhodes Villa, Bucida, Casuarina, Nassau, north of Ingraham and at Atlantic;
• Upgrading signage and pavement markings, including installing green bicycle markings at A1A and Linton.
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