FDOT presents Cove Road PD&E; residents press for smaller cross‑section, drainage fixes and noise mitigation

The Florida Department of Transportation presented an update June 16 to the Martin County MPO Policy Board on the Cove Road PD&E study, a project to widen about 3.2 miles of Cove Road from State Road 76 (Canner Highway) to U.S. 1 (State Road 5).

The MPO heard detailed design information from Vanita Saini, FDOT project manager for Cove Road, and Amanda Ashley, the PD&E consultant, who said the project’s “primary purpose of widening Cove Road from 2 lanes to 4 lanes is to add capacity for all modes of travel and improve the local transportation network.” The board also heard public comment from neighborhood residents and condominium association representatives who asked FDOT to reduce the proposed roadway footprint, address drainage and wetland impacts, and add effective noise mitigation.

The preferred geometry is divided into two segments. For segment 1 (Canner Highway to Avalon Drive) FDOT’s preferred typical section (alternative 1b) would provide two 11‑foot travel lanes in each direction separated by a 22‑foot median, with…