In a recent government meeting, city officials discussed a significant transportation project aimed at enhancing multi-modal mobility along a federal highway segment from Camino Real to Southeast Mizner. The project, initially proposed by the Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) in 2016-2017, is set to repurpose one travel lane in each direction to accommodate wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

Currently, the highway features three lanes in each direction, but the new design will reduce the number of travel lanes while reallocating space for non-motorized transportation. Notably, the proposed plan does not include a protective barrier between the bike lanes and vehicle traffic, raising concerns about safety.

City staff emphasized the importance of engaging with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to explore potential protective measures for cyclists. As the design process progresses, currently at over 30% completion, officials are seeking policy direction from the city council to guide further discussions with FDOT regarding safety enhancements and their implications on project costs.

The meeting underscored the need for a collaborative approach to ensure that the project meets the evolving demands for safer and more accessible transportation options in the community. City officials are expected to present various options for consideration as the project moves toward its next design phase.