PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — South Floridians are no strangers to heavy traffic, and as the Florida East Coast Rail prepares to do repairs to some railways this week, WPTV reporter Michael Hoffman spoke with drivers in the area who are not happy about the impacts on Alternate A1A.
The first closure, set to begin Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m., will be at Donald Ross and Alternate A1A in Jupiter. County officials tell WPTV that detour routes will reroute drivers via Indiantown Road, Military Trail and PGA Boulevard.
Closures include:
- Eastbound lane closures from Central Boulevard to Military Trail
- Westbound lane closures from Bears Club Drive
- Northbound left turn lane closure and southbound right turn lane closure on Alternate A1A
Detours for westbound drivers:
Detoured north on Alternate A1A → cross at Frederick Small Road, Toney Penna Drive or Indiantown Road → continue west to Military Trail → south on Military Trail → back to Donald Ross Rd.
Detours for eastbound drivers:
Detoured south on Military Trail → use Kyoto Gardens Drive or PGA Boulevard to head east → north on Alternate A1A → back to Donald Ross Road.
Some drivers like Alex Athineos are already feeling the impacts.
"It's already crazy," Athineos said.
And for those trying to run a business, like Alex D'Angelo with Ah Beetz Pizza on Northlake Boulevard, it's even harder.
“It's a nightmare," D’Angelo said. “People already have anxiety driving through the detour, not really knowing where to go, not knowing how to handle it. The last thing they're going to want to do is go into a local business and give them money, so they're just going to get out of the area as fast as possible.
The next closure will begin at Northlake Boulevard and Alternate A1A from Aug. 23 through Aug. 26. Traffic will be detoured via Alternate A1A, Military Trail, PGA Boulevard, Congress Avenue, Blue Heron and Broadway.
Closures include:
- Eastbound lane closures from Macarthur Blvd to Old Dixie Highway
- Westbound lane closures from Flagler Boulevard to Alternate A1A
- Northbound right lane and right turn lane closure on Old Dixie Highway
- Northbound left turn lane closure on 10th Street
- Southbound right turn lane closure on Alternate A1A
The final closure will happen along Burns Road and Alternate A1A from Aug. 26 through Aug. 28. We're still working to find the approved detours for this closure.
All closures will start at 6 p.m. and end at midnight.
