Project Overview
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) initiated a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study (What is a PD&E Study?) in January 2010 that will consider transportation improvement options for SR 80 (Southern Boulevard) located in Palm Beach County. The limits of the study extend from CR 880 to Forest Hill Boulevard (Project Limits).
SR 80 (Southern Boulevard) is one of only two major east-west roadways in the county (the other being SR 710). Within the project corridor, SR 80 (Southern Boulevard) runs adjacent to the Village of Wellington, the Town of Loxahatchee Groves and the Village of Royal Palm Beach. The western portion of the project is near the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The land uses along the project corridor are rural, low density residential and commercial to the north and urban residential to the south.
The area surrounding the project corridor has been undergoing rapid development over the last decade due to the westward expansion of metropolitan Palm Beach County. This rapid population growth has resulted in a significant increase in surface transportation demand particularly along SR 80 (Southern Boulevard) which serves as a primary access route connecting residents within these municipalities to the commercial centers and recreational attractions within the county.
PURPOSE & NEED
The purpose of this project is to provide additional capacity to meet existing and future traffic demands and upgrade the corridor to meet current Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) (What is the SIS?) and access management standards. This will enhance safety and mobility and improve emergency access and hurricane evacuation along the project corridor. SR 80 (Southern Boulevard) is designated as a hurricane evacuation corridor.
EXPLORING SOLUTIONS
As with all PD&E Studies, the project team will explore and objectively evaluate all reasonable alternatives that meet the purpose and need of the project. This includes evaluating intersection improvements, improvements to pedestrian and bicycle accommodations and opportunities for Context Sensitive Solutions (What are Context Sensitive Solutions?). The No Build Alternative or No Project Alternative remains a valid alternative throughout the study process.