US Highway 1
FDOT is widening US 1 from 4 to 6-lanes with the divided median.
The City took a proactive position to assist FDOT in locating, purchasing, and jointly planning the placement and improvement of the stormwater program for the widening.
This was crucial for several reasons:
First, it kept the City’s front door and main corridor from looking like a pond pocked surface with chain link fences and overgrown cattails;
Second, the parcels along the frontage of US 1 are already small, landlocked by the railroad, and have enough issues that would be exacerbated if FDOT were to buy them up for the ponds.
The City purchased 60 acres which will be used by FDOT for stormwater, and subsequently turned into a stormwater park.
Most importantly, the CRA is using $1.5 million dollars of the TIF and FDOT contributions to create a greater impact through enhancing the widening. These funds will pay for an 8’ pedestrian/bicycle facility, with way-finding signage, wayside stations for shelter, landscaping, and decorative lighting.
The wayside stations will contain environmental and historical literature to share Rockledge’s and the area’s rich, and varied history.
Starting in the summer of 2008, the project should take approximately 2 years.