By Angie Francalancia
With overwhelming support from the merchants, Boca Raton has agreed to delay constructing raised intersections on Palmetto Park Road, which would have meant closing portions of the road. during the tourist season.
The Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency voted to delay the construction that began last September after a survey of merchants showed 38 favoring the delay while nine were opposed.
Delaying the work adds $72,000 to the cost.
“Thank you very much. It’s very appreciated,” said Guliano Lorenzani, owner of Boca Raton Travel.
City Manager Leif Ahnell said only the parts of the project that would require the road to be closed would be delayed until May 10.
Merchants questioned the timing of the $6.8 million project last October soon after the work began. The work on Palmetto involves creating wider sidewalks with pavers, improved lighting and landscaping and installing the raised intersections. The project is the link, city officials say, between Mizner Park and Royal Palm Plaza and the path to making downtown more pedestrian-friendly.
The city will install the raised intersections — which will require closing the road in parts — at Northeast Third, Fourth and Fifth avenues and at Mizner Boulevard.
Once that work resumes in May, it will take about 60 days to complete, Ahnell said.
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