During a recent government meeting, resident Miss Stern raised urgent concerns regarding pedestrian safety on A1A in East Hoka. Speaking at the public request segment, she highlighted that her condominium, located at 250 South Ocean Boulevard, is the only crossing along a busy stretch of A1A lacking a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crossing.
Miss Stern described the hazardous conditions faced by pedestrians, particularly families with strollers, who must navigate heavy traffic without adequate safety measures. She noted that while other crossings along A1A are equipped with flashing lights to alert drivers, her community has only basic flags for crossing assistance.
Despite repeated requests to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) since 2022, Miss Stern reported that the city has not received authorization to install the necessary safety devices at her location. The FDOT's recent communication indicated that while her crossing has been included in a future installation list, no timeline for implementation has been provided.
City officials acknowledged the issue, clarifying that the roadway falls under FDOT jurisdiction, which limits the city's ability to install traffic control devices without state approval. They assured Miss Stern that they would follow up with the FDOT regarding her request.
The meeting concluded with no additional business or reports from city officials, leaving the community's safety concerns unresolved for the time being.