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 12‑foot shared‑use paths on both sides and a minimum 119 feet of right of way. In segment 2 (Avalon Drive to U.S. 1) the preferred typical section (alternative 2c) includes 11‑foot outside lanes and 10‑foot inside lanes in each direction, a 15.5‑foot median and 8–10‑foot shared‑use paths, with a minimum 90 feet of right of way. FDOT said no on‑road bicycle lanes are included; bicyclists would use the shared‑use paths.

FDOT staff summarized environmental and design findings: the preferred alternative would directly impact about 6.96 acres of wetlands and produce about 1.29 acres of secondary impacts; one residential relocation is anticipated to accommodate a pond site; no impacts to identified contamination sites, cultural resources or FEMA floodplain were reported in the PD&E. A noise study identified one feasible noise abatement measure — an 8‑foot noise wall between Avalon Drive and Cable Drive near the Hibiscus Park neighborhood — contingent on final design and cost analysis. FDOT said ponds and drainage sites are preliminary and will be permitted through the South Florida Water Management District.

Residents at the public hearing pressed FDOT on the plan’s width, drainage and safety at neighborhood entrances. Warren Newell, a resident who commented during public testimony, said, “Let’s reduce the impacts. Let’s get back and really think about this a little more.” Jacob de Roos, speaking for Montego Cove residents, described the proposed entrance geometry as “a very dangerous maneuver” and urged FDOT to redesign the community access to provide more stacking capacity. Tyrone Monti raised questions about the traffic analysis that led to the widening and recommended vegetative buffers as an alternative to a solid noise wall.

FDOT responded to public concerns with process and design commitments: the PD&E study must obtain Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA) before final design, FDOT will reanalyze pond locations and drainage layouts in the design phase and coordinate with county staff, and the design phase is funded in fiscal year 2025 while construction currently is not funded. FDOT also listed species protection commitments: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service standard measures for eastern indigo snake, a Florida bonneted bat survey 90 days prior to construction, and mitigation for wood stork impacts via service‑area wetland mitigation banks or conservation banks.

Board members asked FDOT to return with more detailed drainage design, pond siting and updated right‑of‑way and mitigation plans during the design phase. FDOT said it will hold additional small‑group and community meetings before finalizing designs and will coordinate landscaping and roundabout landscaping details with the county.

Project documents, FDOT said, remain available at coveroadstudy.com; FDOT expects to complete the PD&E and obtain LDCA in fall 2025. Design procurement will begin soon; construction funding has not been identified.

The MPO did not take a construction approval on the project at the June 16 meeting; the item on the agenda was an informational PD&E update and public hearing record.