The intersection of NE 7th Avenue and NE 1st Street, Delray Beach, FL, Dec. 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Delray Beach officials have approved the closure of an intersection north of the Atlantic Crossing complex, half of which remains under construction along Atlantic Avenue. The closure of the intersection has long been under consideration, and neighbors say drivers often become confused since a temporary closure already in place is not reflected on GPS navigation software, including Google Maps.
With the overwhelming support of residents, the city council voted unanimously to close the intersection of NE
7th Avenue and NE 1st Street, which is located between the two phases of Atlantic Crossing. The intersection is already shut to traffic on a temporary basis pursuant to a settlement with Atlantic Crossing’s developer. The council had the option of taking action to close the intersection now, or wait until the completion of Atlantic Crossing for a traffic study to be conducted.
“Since the temporary closing has been there, I’ve done my own traffic study,” said resident Gail Clark. “I’ve seen the cars moving through, we’ve resented the people driving through. The problem is that they think it’s an open road; Google Maps thinks it’s an open road, so I can’t blame people. We can never have calming traffic there if that road is not permanently closed and it’s not adjusted on the maps.”
The intersection of NE 7th Avenue and NE 1st Street, Delray Beach, FL, Dec. 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
The intersection of NE 7th Avenue and NE 1st Street, Delray Beach, FL, Dec. 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
The intersection of NE 7th Avenue and NE 1st Street, Delray Beach, FL, Dec. 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Public Works Director Missy Barletto said residents of the nearby Palm Trail neighborhood were in agreement about the change at a recent community meeting which drew 60 homeowners.
“There were several different groups of residents who provided input and there was an overwhelming show of support expressed by the community for the permanent closure of this intersection,” Barletto said. “There was no one who spoke against it.”
Two other residents at the meeting also lobbied the council to close the intersection immediately rather than wait for a traffic study in the future.
“The city’s responsibility is to evaluate area traffic patterns to determine, at the city’s sole discretion, as to whether NE 7th Avenue should be permanently closed, partially closed, or left open with the installation of traffic calming,” Barletto told elected officials.
Even though the council has now decided on the intersection’s closure, more reconfigurations may eventually come to the area. Traffic studies will be conducted as part of the Atlantic Crossing settlement once Atlantic Crossing is fully constructed. The priority of the traffic calming study is directed toward whether or not a traffic light will be required at NE 1st Street and NE 6th Avenue, officials said.
The intersection of NE 7th Avenue and NE 1st Street, Delray Beach, FL, Dec. 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
The Atlantic Crossing complex under construction, Dec. 2024. (Photo: Boca Daily News)
Barletto asked council members to approve the installation of a gated structure at the intersection to allow fire trucks and other emergency vehicles access in emergencies – a request that was agreed-upon by the governing body. Pedestrian access will also be retained.
“We do want to maintain the pedestrian connection,” said Barletto. “We’re not going to gate it off so you cannot walk to Veterans Park.”
The closure also had the support of Mayor Tom Carney.
“There is no legal obstacle for us in closing this,” he said. “This is really outside the settlement agreement, so all we’re doing is exercising our right to close our own street.”
Carney said he had supported the closure of the intersection dating back to 2012.
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