Traffic study looks at Okeechobee Blvd. fixes

Alex Hagan

11:55 PM, Jun 15, 2017

12:26 AM, Jun 16, 2017

Traffic study forum for Okeechobee corridor in Downtown West Palm Beach underway

The city is putting together a plan to fix the corridor at Okeechobee Boulevard through downtown West Palm Beach

Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Okeechobee Boulevard in downtown West Palm Beach has long been seen as a trouble spot when it comes to traffic and pedestrian safety.

Thursday, city leaders took some steps to try and alleviate the issue.

This week, a group of consultants have been working to come up with a plan to make that corridor safer.

Okeechobee Blvd. between Australian Ave. and Flagler Drive is always congested.

"Yes. Always dangerous," says Joann Dye of West Palm Beach.

Safety is a concern.

"Ultimate solution and it will have to come sooner than later is a flyover," says Dye.

Both short and long-term solutions were unveiled thanks to a four-day consultant study.

Research shows railroad tracks and the Flagler Bridge contribute to the congestion.

Mayor Jeri Muoio says a traffic study shows a pedestrian bridge or tunneling could be a good long-term solution.

As for some short-term solutions, Muoio says crosswalk times and working with the U.S. Coast Guard on the bridge is a good plan.

"That can be done within the next year or two," says Muoio.

Another potential solution is a transit hub, so less people use their cars for their commute.