SHANNON VINNICK
Sales Associate/REALTOR®
Realty Executives Oceanside
In June 2023, the City of Palm Coast secured $54.55 million in state appropriations for several essential projects throughout the city. Two transportation projects receiving state funding were discussed and approved for the next steps at the August 15 City Council Business Meeting.
In June 2023, the City of Palm Coast secured $54.55 million in state appropriations for several essential projects throughout the city. Two transportation projects receiving state funding were discussed and approved for the next steps at the August 15 City Council Business Meeting. Additional costs over and above the state funding will be covered by impact fees for these projects.
The first project focuses on advancing Phase II of the Old Kings Road North Widening Project. As the City’s highest-ranked transportation project, the widening of Old Kings Road began in 2009 with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Phase 1, which received funding from FDOT, was completed in 2021. The expansion of this crucial thoroughfare will further alleviate traffic congestion, benefiting the community at large.
The project will expand approximately 1.4 miles of Old Kings Road from a two-lane roadway into a four-lane divided roadway from the north intersection of Kings Way to Frontier Drive. The original design plan was completed in 2020 and will be modified to conform to the current FDOT specifications. In addition to expanding to a four-lane divided roadway, there will also be the addition of turn lanes, continuous street lighting, and eight-foot-wide paths on both sides of the road. There is $18.3 million in state funding dedicated to this project.
There are already plans for a final phase of the widening project following the completion of this Phase II construction. Phase III will widen the remaining portion of Old Kings Road North from Frontier Drive to Forest Grove Drive. City staff remains focused on working with FDOT to secure funding for Phase III.
The second transportation project approved on Tuesday focuses on traffic and safety improvements along Belle Terre Parkway, spanning from Royal Palms Parkway to Whiteview Parkway. City Staff completed the Belle Terre Safety Improvement designs in 2019, which included improvements to eight intersections along Belle Terre Parkway. Improvements to Easthampton Boulevard were completed in early 2023, which included adding a right turn lane. The original design plan for the remaining seven projects will be modified to conform to the current FDOT specifications.
The intersections along Belle Terre Parkway involved in this project include Pritchard Drive, Whippoorwill Drive, Whiteview Parkway, Pine Grove Drive, Ponce Deleon Drive, Pleasant Drive, and Royal Palms Parkway. All projects include adding or extending a right turn lane. These improvements will also require modifications to the sidewalks and drainage in the area. The projects at Whiteview Parkway and Royal Palms Parkway will include the extensions of the existing left turn lanes as well as improving the signals at these intersections. Additionally, signage and neighborhood signs in the construction areas will be improved as needed. State funding of $4.5 million has been allocated for this project.
The ability to initiate these traffic safety improvements is vital to providing safe passage for residents and visitors. Efforts will be made to schedule work to minimize traffic delays as often as possible. However, improvements of this magnitude will have an impact on traffic. Specific project updates will be communicated by the City throughout the process. The status of each project will also be accessible through the City’s capital improvement dashboard.
Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review.
Brittany Kershaw
Director of Communications & Marketing
