Progress in Pompano! Atlantic Boulevard/Dixie Highway Streetscape Project
The City of Pompano Beach will embark upon a transformative new road project that will realign Atlantic Boulevard, creating a signature entrance to the heart of the City. Inspired by the global trend of creating pleasant, walkable cities that easily connect major districts, Pompano Beach will be extending the existing lane configuration out west of the Dixie Highway for a segment of Atlantic Boulevard in order to smooth traffic and enhance pedestrian safety while creating a modern, warm and welcoming streetscape uniting the Downtown and Cultural areas. The design changes in these areas will slow down traffic and incentivize walking, rather than allowing drivers to speed through. The Progress in Pompano! Project will not only provide better and safer routes for pedestrians but also for bicycles, public transportation and vehicles.
The Progress in Pompano! Project to improve the Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway corridor was made possible after a successful collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to acquire Dixie Highway in its entirety through Pompano Beach. This acquisition was essential in order for the City to have the flexibility to add major beautification elements to the project for Pompano Beach’s new signature entrance. FDOT transferred almost $5 million in funding to the City as this money had already been designated for the resurfacing of Dixie Highway. The City will also receive approximately $25 million from the Broward County Penny for Transportation Surtax fund which is designated for transportation.
Features of the project include: A multi-use pedestrian and bike promenade with seating areas along both sides of Atlantic Boulevard, featuring curbside lawns with street trees; The medians will be widened, landscaped and extended. A multi-use path along the West side of Dixie Highway separated from the road by landscaping is proposed. Additionally, the medians will be extended to align with newly defined crosswalks for both pedestrians and cyclists to ensure safety for all.
This major project will begin with a pilot program in September. Four message boards will be strategically placed notifying drivers of the upcoming new traffic patterns 30 days ahead of the pilot program. The goal of the pilot program is to educate the public, build familiarity with the lane reductions, provide for wider sidewalk and pedestrian areas and safer crosswalks. The construction contractor will install traffic delineators to establish the travel lanes from the existing roadway to the new lanes and transitions. The implementation plan will last approximately three months.
After the pilot program is complete, the actual project construction will start and last approximately one year.
“This reimaging of Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway is similar to our beachfront restoration,” said Mayor Rex Hardin. “Initially the beach redevelopment project faced some resistance, but thanks to the cooperation of our residents and business owners through the construction phase, the beachfront is now a source of tremendous pride for the entire community.”
