As of last Friday night, Northlake Boulevard at the CSX railroad crossing near Beeline Highway is no more a throughway for the tens of thousands of Palm Beach County motorists. The essential artery linking eastern to western stretches of the county is locked down for an eight-day stretch, making way for a complete overhaul of the railroad setup.
With the road's closure, those who bank on this commute must now navigate detours – the construction throwing a considerable wrench in the daily hustle. Commuters Brett Schacht and Scott Weininger both shared with WPBF their plans to alter travel schedules, the former saying, “We will not be travelling as much as we would have, I guess,” and the latter, “Leave early for work, leave late to come home.” Samantha Atencio, speaking to the uncertainty the shutdown brings, added, "I’m not sure how it’s going to work, but we’ll see if I get there on time."
Ahead of the blockade, CBS12 drove the detour route that, outside rush hour, saw a normally six-minute drive stretch out to an hour and three minutes. This detour takes drivers on a roundabout path – Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Southern Boulevard, and then Military Trail to reconnect with Northlake Boulevard.
The challenge intensifies with the coinciding temporary closure of a portion of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road for a separate widening project, expected to last 60 days. This closure has the added effect of removing a three-way stop and introducing a free-flow traffic pattern. Officials claim this shift was strategic, hoping it would improve overall traffic as drivers adapt to the new scenario.
For emergency services, plans are well in place. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, armed with relocated personnel and trucks, stands ready west of the barricade. "I want to assure you that we have taken every step possible for this upcoming event," District Chief Amanda Vomero assured via social media, a statement obtained by WPBF. Additional whole blood and plasma have also been added to EMS captain vehicles, ensuring an uninterrupted response capability.
To mitigate the troublesome commute, recommendations include staying at home or even checking into local hotels, as suggested by Palm Beach County officials – a move akin to battening down the hatches for a weather-induced staycation. Drivers are also encouraged to employ GPS to steer clear of traffic hotspots throughout the closure.
