ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla. — Royal Palm Beach residents and business owners are demanding action on a dangerous Southern Boulevard intersection where they say a traffic light is desperately needed after more than a decade of safety concerns and accidents.
The intersection at Cypress Key Shoppes has become a focal point of frustration for drivers who say making left turns onto eastbound Southern Boulevard poses significant safety risks. Residents report multiple accidents and near-misses at the location, with some describing the daily commute as "terrifying."
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"It's terrifying sometimes during the day," said Matthew McCurry, a Royal Palm Beach resident who navigates the intersection daily. "It really is dangerous getting across."
Residents Report Multiple Accidents at Intersection
McCurry and other community members have been advocating for a traffic signal to prevent future accidents at the busy intersection. The current configuration forces drivers to wait in the median as traffic speeds past on Southern Boulevard.
"Sometimes during the day, you have cars that are flying through, and then five or six people are in the center of the median. It takes forever to get out," McCurry explained. "A couple of our residents who live in our community, they've been in accidents."
Despite multiple emails and requests to local officials, McCurry said residents have seen no progress on installing a traffic light.
Royal Palm Beach Council Member Acknowledges Decade-Long Effort
Royal Palm Beach Council Member Rich Valuntas confirmed that local officials have been working on the traffic light issue for approximately 10 years, dating back to before Cypress Key Shoppes was developed.
"I've been involved since before the inception of Cypress Key," Valuntas told WPTV.
According to Valuntas, the delay stems from the Florida Department of Transportation's review process, not local opposition to the project.
"It is, in my understanding, it's in FDOT's ball. It's in their court," Valuntas said.
FDOT Traffic Study Finds Mixed Results
The Florida Department of Transportation conducted a comprehensive traffic study at the intersection in August 2025 to determine whether a traffic signal meets state installation criteria.
The study examined multiple factors that typically warrant traffic light installation. While the intersection satisfied some of the required criteria, it did not meet all necessary thresholds for signal installation, according to Valuntas.
As an alternative solution, FDOT is now considering implementing a no-left-turn restriction instead of installing a traffic signal.
Why This Matters Now
Traffic safety concerns at busy intersections have become increasingly important as Palm Beach County continues to experience population growth and increased vehicle traffic. The intersection's location on Southern Boulevard, a major east-west corridor, makes it a critical safety consideration for both residents and commuters.
Valuntas expressed disappointment that the lengthy review process has not yet resulted in a traffic signal installation.
"I was hoping the process last year would have come out, okay, this light is warranted, and we would already be, I don't know if it would be up yet, but however long it takes to put up a light, that a light would actually be done by this time. But that's not the case," Valuntas said.
WPTV has contacted the Florida Department of Transportation for additional information about the traffic study results and timeline for potential safety improvements at the intersection. The department has not yet responded to requests for comment.
The ongoing safety concerns highlight the complex process involved in traffic signal installation, which requires meeting specific state criteria for traffic volume, accident history, and other engineering factors.
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