Commissioners press staff on A1A crosswalk repairs after hurricane damage; DOT/FEMA approvals delay permanent fixes

Commissioners and staff discussed pedestrian safety on A1A and recent crosswalk improvements during the visioning workshop. The City Manager noted residents want better bike lanes and safer crosswalks; staff displayed demonstration video showing properly operating crossing lights.

The Police Chief said the driver involved in a recent crosswalk crash told officers he was not paying attention, and stressed that distracted driving is an ongoing problem. The Chief said lights operating properly are a “tremendous improvement” and that staff will continue to press for installations where possible.

Director Cruz (traffic operations) told the commission that some temporary solar‑powered crosswalk poles were installed after the hurricane and that a DOT repaving project will replace the temporary poles by undergrounding the wiring and connecting signals to permanent electrical service. Cruz said the work is tied to federal reimbursement and is currently in the Florida Highway Administration review process with FEMA; staff received no firm ETA for approval and said FEMA must clear the repairs before DOT can complete permanent fixes.

Commissioners asked whether the city can act independently to fix nonoperating lights; staff replied the crosswalks are not owned or operated by the city, and that DOT/FEMA processes limit local action for the affected installations. Staff described some temporary poles as set in sand and already leaning, and noted the long-term solution is a DOT‑installed, permanently wired system during repaving.

No formal motions or local funding decisions were recorded at the workshop. Commissioners directed staff to continue following up with DOT and FEMA and to keep the commission apprised of any schedule changes.