West Palm Beach residents and visitors are in for a summer of detours and delays as a variety of road construction projects and events usher in a wave of closures and traffic changes. The City of West Palm Beach has extended several ongoing construction initiatives aimed at improving the city's infrastructure, with some not wrapping up until late 2024 or even into 2025.
Major arteries like Washington Road and Tamarind Avenue are under the knife for streetscape redesigns, utility upgrades, and better storm drainage, making some stretches of roadways inaccessible. North and southbound traffic on Washington Road has already been rerouted to Olive Avenue and alternate side streets, according to the city's latest update. Meanwhile, Clematis Street will see its own share of closures with events such as Clematis by Night and Pride on the Block taking over downtown throughout May.
Private construction projects are also throwing wrenches into the daily commute. One Flagler's ongoing development results in lane and sidewalk closures, while the area surrounding Clematis will see a range of disruptions, including full alleyway and sidewalk shutdowns that could complicate pedestrian flow.
For those thinking they can escape downtown's chaos, think again. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is adding to the fray with the Belvedere Road Improvements at the I-95 Northbound On/Off-Ramp Connection and a massive, five-year reconstruction of State Road 710/Beeline Highway. FDOT cautions drivers that the I-95 southbound exit ramp to Belvedere Road will be closed overnight, with detours sending motorists on a roundabout journey via State Road 80 and Australian Avenue.
It's not all traffic cones and brake lights, though; water recreationalists can still access the Currie Park Boat Docks and ramps without interruption, plus the Clematis and Fern Street docks remain open for daily use, with the exception of overnight docking, the city confirms. While the Tri-Rail pedestrian bridge rehabilitation might cause some train delays, the transit authority promises improved safety and integrity upon completion.
With the complexity of concurrent projects, residents can brace themselves for a prolonged bout with construction-induced headaches. The full list of closures and detours is available on the City of West Palm Beach's official website, a crucial resource for planning anything from daily commutes to weekend outings.
