News

By Jane Smith

    Construction work has started to replace the temporary traffic signals at two East Atlantic intersections in Delray Beach. It will take at least two months to complete, weather permitting, contractors said.
    Florida Department of Transportation contractors will do the work, for which the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency has agreed to pay $547,865.
    The Beach Property Owners Association has waited nearly 18 months for the work to start, said Bob Victorin, association president.
Temporary poles were erected after metal mast arm poles became corroded and in danger of collapsing at the Venetian Drive and Gleason Street intersections.
    Construction will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays; no work will be done at night or on weekends.  
    The Beach Property Owners Association said:
    • Traffic will be controlled by temporary signal lights.
    • One lane on the streets will be closed at times to allow for staging construction vehicles and storing supplies.
    • Total closure of the intersections will be needed for two days when heavy construction will be done.
    • Traffic may be detoured to the Linton Boulevard Bridge because there is a weight limit on the George Bush Boulevard Bridge.
    The work will involve removing existing concrete signal poles with hanging wires and installing six drilled shaft foundations and six trombone-style mast arms — three each at Venetian and three at Gleason.
    The new mast arms will be made of galvanized steel and painted to inhibit corrosion, contractors said. They are expected to last about 20 years.
    Victorin said he was told that the location near the ocean and the salt spray may decrease that life expectancy.
    Contractors said they had taken pre-construction videos at the intersections to document the condition of surrounding buildings prior to the start of work on Jan. 11.