A1A Repairs Flagler Meet Topic

By MARCIA LANE

Flagler County residents will hear Thursday (Dec. 15) from the Florida Department of Transportation about permanent repair solutions for State Road A1A, the major roadway heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew.

An open house style public meeting is from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Flagler Beach City Hall, 105 S. Second St. A video presentation that will loop will be set up and FDOT officials will be on hand. Public input is sought.

“This is FDOT’s official kick-off of the process to develop a permanent solution for State Road A1A,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said in a press release.

FDOT plans a feasibility study for the roadway between South 28th Street south of Osprey Drive. The study includes the temporary improvements already in place. In addition FDOT will build a list of options to permanently repair the road.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson was in Flagler Beach at the first of the week to update county and city officials on the status of federal funding on a federal water bill. He could give them some good news — $31.6 million is coming to Flagler County for beach renourishment. But he warned the money might be lost if FDOT decides to build sea walls along the damaged portions of A1A. Sea walls and beach renourishment don’t go together.

For the Dec. 15 meeting, people wishing to express concerns with FDOT compliance with Title VI may contact Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI coordinator, at 386-943-5367 or email her at jennifer.smith2@dot.state.fl.us.