Residents of Hollywood are set to see construction start in February 2025 on a new shared-use path along Taft Street, ranging from SR 7/US 441 to N 40th Street. This endeavour is part of a broader effort to bolster the SR 7/US 441 Transit Corridor, aiming to upgrade safety and community connectivity, according to an announcement from the city.
The work schedule outlines lane closures from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. while ensuring residential access throughout the duration of the project. City officials advise locals to clear any personal belongings from the public right-of-way to steer clear of any disruption during the path's installation, as showcased in an illustration indicating which trees will be removed for the construction. Post-construction, the city promises new tree plantings under a separate contract.
Dating back to 2015, the SR 7 Corridor saw a comprehensive study by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) which spanned an entire year to deduce the necessary multimodal improvements. With input from all cities along the corridor, Hollywood hosted two public meetings and a telephone town hall to gather feedback; findings led to several recommended bike/pedestrian improvements, including the Taft Street path, later integrated into Hollywood’s Bicycle Mobility Master Plan. The City of Hollywood confirmed this alignment with long-term community planning.
Further down the line, the project received its financial legs through the MPO, which segued into designing and, with support from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), constructing the multipurpose path; the blueprint encompasses not just the path itself but also road resurfacing, upgraded drainage, new curb ramps, and improved signage to foster pedestrian mobility and enhance road safety. Historical engagement and plan presentations can be viewed with an August 31, 2022 presentation to the City Commission and a more recent November 6, 2024 meeting recap available online.
