County to close Northlake Boulevard starting July 29; town staff outline traffic plan

Palm Beach County will begin closures on Northlake Boulevard at 8 p.m. Friday and is expected to continue work through the second week of August, town staff said at the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council special meeting July 28. Town staff urged residents to rely on printed and posted county flyers and the town's official website for details and updates.

The town's representative said the county flyer and communications are posted in the town hall lobby and on both doors in English and Spanish. She said the town has requested extra variable message boards; the county will supply at least one additional board so the town can use three in total. The town also secured extra staffing from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) to assist with handling north–south traffic flow at Okeechobee Road during peak times.

Why it matters: residents and commuters should expect traffic congestion, altered traffic patterns and increased police presence during the closure period. Town staff asked residents to share official notices on local social media and to report logistics problems directly to town staff so adjustments can be made quickly.

Town staff described operational limits imposed by emergency responders: the county declined to authorize permanent channeling or barricades along some shoulders because Emergency Medical Services must retain access to those right-of-ways. The staff member said PBSO deputies will be stationed at key cut-throughs and the town will monitor and adjust locations and staffing as needed.

Council and resident questions focused on the accuracy of posted detour maps and translation of county materials. A council member said a social-media map posted by a third party showed routes through the town that do not exist; staff said they would follow up with the commissioner's office to clarify the master-transportation-plan references and confirm the official closure footprint.

Town staff asked residents to report issues immediately (cell/ email) — not to wait — so the town can respond during the multiweek closure. The town will post information on the official town website and encouraged sharing of those official messages on neighborhood pages to reduce rumors.

Ending: staff asked residents to notify them promptly about problems during the closure period and said deputies and message boards will be deployed beginning Aug. 4 for peak-hour traffic control. For official closure details residents were referred to the county flyer and the town's website.