By Rich Pollack
After months of delays, road work along State Road A1A in Highland Beach and southern Delray Beach appears to be winding down with returning seasonal residents discovering a newly paved — almost finished — and smoother highway to drive on.
But delays and travel interruptions are not totally in the rearview mirror yet. Finishing touches on the $8.3 million project were still ahead while at the same time crews were fixing a sewer line break on A1A near Linton Boulevard, the project’s north end.
Construction workers, who began the road improvements in May 2024, have been doing the final paving since mid-October, but Highland Beach leaders say that’s not the end of the project.
Work remains, according Highland Beach Town Manager Marshall Labadie, including smoothing out the transitions from driveways to the road, which is now slightly higher than prior to construction. That work could result in some temporary lane closures and delays.
Those using A1A near Linton Boulevard and those heading east on Linton toward the bridge and A1A might also encounter traffic delays.
On Oct. 24, Delray Beach officials notified residents that a contractor on the A1A project damaged one of the city’s sanitary sewer mains.
Repairs on the main began Oct. 27 and were not expected to be completed until Nov. 3.
Those repairs were to include lane closures on eastbound Linton at the bridge and lane shifts on southbound A1A just south of the Linton intersection. Bicyclists and pedestrians could also expect detours.
In Highland Beach, Labadie emailed residents in October recognizing frustration with the slow pace of construction — which had an original completion target of sometime during the summer — and with continued drainage issues.
Labadie said that drainage on the roadway has improved but there is still flooding on swales and the sidewalk, which means some pedestrians will walk in the roadway to avoid the water.
“Whether you are awaiting a response or payment related to a claim with the contractor, are frustrated with the pace of construction, flooding issues, or overall project progress — please know that your concerns are valid and shared by the town,” Labadie wrote.
The email went on to point out that the project is being done by the Florida Department of Transportation, not the town, and urged “reaching out directly to both the FDOT District and State Offices to elevate your concerns.”
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