Seeing a project come to completion is one of the most exciting phases of a project. After years of planning, public input, design and construction, a finished project is an exciting moment for the project team and the community. The TPA’s Fiscal Year 2024 wrapped up in June with many projects completed , including several from the TPA’s Funding Programs.
The TPA Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program funded a variety of projects across the county that increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Along A1A from Indiantown Rd. to Donald Ross Rd., pedestrian crossing enhancements have been added to make walking and biking along the ocean and crossing beach access roads safer for residents and visitors. Each crosswalk is now equipped with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB), which light up to alert drivers about people crossing the street. This Palm Beach County project was completed at the end of 2023.
The City of Palm Beach Gardens also installed eight RRFBs along Holly Drive near Palm Beach Gardens High School and Elementary School, and four others in the immediate area. This project will enhance the safety of existing school/pedestrian crossings which are heavily used by children who walk to and from school, and serve surrounding parks, churches and private schools. This project was completed in March 2024.
Kyoto Gardens Drive, also in the City of Palm Beach Gardens, is now equipped with a 5’ bicycle lane and 8’ pathway on the north side of the roadway. These new facilities provide a key pedestrian and bicycle network connection to the new Florida Power & Light campus, Downtown at the Gardens and is within close proximity to the Gardens Mall, several schools and Palm Beach State College. Construction was completed in July 2024.
Clear Lake Trail North (Phase 1) in the City of West Palm Beach is now complete on the NW side of Clear Lake from Okeechobee Blvd. to Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. This 10 ft shared use path and boardwalk is open to people walking and bicycling, providing a scenic view of downtown West Palm Beach along the lake, while connecting over 3,700 residential units and several commercial areas to downtown West Palm Beach. Phase 2 will run along the east side of Clear Lake from Fern St. to Okeechobee Blvd., with Phase 3 connecting both sections north of Okeechobee Blvd. The project was completed in May 2024 and with additional lighting installed along the trail soon.
Dillman Trail was constructed in the City of Greenacres, providing a 12 ft. pathway from Okeeheelee Park at Forest Hill Blvd. to Cholee Lake Elementary School (CLES)at Dillman Rd. The TPA held a ribbon cutting with the City, FDOT and CLES to celebrate National Walk to School Day in October 2023 when the project was completed. The school’s Principal shared that this will make their monthly Walk to School Days safer and encourage more students and families to participate, opening the door for walking and bicycling to become the primary mode of transportation for students getting to and from school.
In the Westgate CRA, 12 ft. shared use paths were constructed along Seminole Blvd. from Okeechobee Blvd. to Oswego Ave. with high visibility crosswalks and pedestrian lighting. According to Palm Beach County, this roadway is heavily used by residents to access community amenities, Westgate Elementary School and Westgate Recreation Center. The project furthers the goals and objectives in the Westgate CRA Community Redevelopment Plan to improve walkability and safety for all residents of the CRA area. The project was completed in July 2024.
In addition to the TA Program projects listed above, several projects are either currently under construction or starting construction soon. These projects include a pedestrian bridge, crosswalks, ADA improvements, sidewalks and more bicycle lanes. The TPA looks forward to seeing these projects advance a safe and connected network of pedestrian and bicycle facilities for people of all ages and abilities to take active modes of transportation across Palm Beach County.
To learn more about the TPA’s TA Program, visit PalmBeachTPA.org/TA.
