Palm Beach is grappling with significant traffic growth this year, thanks to a variety of factors. Here’s a snapshot of the situation and the strategies being considered to address the congestion:
- Traffic Increase: Palm Beach traffic jumped by 6.31% between 2023 and 2024, a noticeable rise compared to the 2.7% average growth over the past five years.
- South Ocean Blvd Closure: The Secret Service’s closure of South Ocean Boulevard for Mar-a-Lago security has funneled more cars onto the Flagler Memorial (up 8.6%) and Royal Park Bridges (up 1.2%).
- Midtown & North End Impact: Traffic volumes in Midtown and the North End have surged by 3.5% to 5%, contributing to the overall congestion in the area.
- West Palm Beach Trends: Downtown West Palm Beach saw a 1.7% traffic increase, while surrounding routes experienced a nearly 3% rise in traffic.
- Proposed Solutions: To alleviate the pressure, experts suggest increasing road capacity, reducing traffic demand, and spreading out traffic. Potential solutions include increasing road capacity by removing street parking during busy hours, encouraging carpooling and shuttle systems for local businesses, and promoting alternative transportation options to reduce the number of cars entering town.
As Palm Beach grows, these strategies aim to manage the rising traffic and keep the roads flowing more smoothly for everyone.
