- October 13, 2024
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Residents of Flagler County are invited to attend a “listening session” hosted by the State Road A1A Resiliency Strike Team from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach.
The strike team – Florida Department of Transportation, Flagler County, Volusia County, the City of Flagler Beach, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection – has reviewed and evaluated options to fortify “critical areas of vulnerability” along State Road A1A in both Flagler and Volusia counties. The critical areas include South 28th Street to South 9th Street and from South Central Avenue to about one-half mile north of Highbridge Road, including the portion to Roberta Road in Ormond by the Sea.
“This listening session will allow our residents and businesses to provide input and feedback on the options to repair and strengthen State Road A1A,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito. “This has been a very collaborative process, and we want the public to be included in the process.”
The strike team is in the early stages of the process – concept planning – which will be followed by programming specific projects, a project development and environment study, if necessary, design, right of way, if needed, and finally construction. Ongoing maintenance with continue throughout, as well as coordination with permitting and regulatory agencies up until construction.
Handouts will be provided that map the critical areas of vulnerability. Officials will be prepared to answer a variety of anticipated questions.
Parts of State Road A1A were destroyed in 2016 by Hurricane Matthew. Big storms, including strong nor’easters and king tides, have caused significant damage that has required costly repair to keep the corridor open for safe travel.
Hurricanes Ian and Nicole furthered dune erosion and roadway undermining. Repairs from these two storms alone have cost $11.7 million to date, and the costs are climbing.
The plan envisions different solutions for different areas of State Road A1A as the needs and existing conditions warrant. A combination of options could be used in some areas. Nothing has been determined, yet, regarding the solution or for any specific project area.
Volusia County had its listening session Jan. 19.
“We hope our residents will come out to take part in this session to provide the Strike Team with their valuable input,” Petito said. “State Road A1A is vital to our way of life in Flagler County.”
