Government

Federal Government Commits $2M to Jeffrey Street Extension in Boca Raton

by
Daniel Nee
July 3, 2026

The site of a future railroad crossing at Jeffrey Street, which will link U.S. 441 (SR-7) to Federal Highway (U.S. 1) through a new roadway. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

A project that would turn Jeffrey Street in Boca Raton into a thoroughfare connecting Federal Highway to U.S. 441 (SR-7), while adding a railroad crossing, got a shot in the arm this week with the announcement of $2 million in federal funding secured for the effort.

U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-23) presented Boca Raton officials with a ceremonial check last week. The $2 million will go toward creating the public railroad crossing that is needed to effectuate the larger plan, which has faced some opposition by residents who live near North Park, which the roadway will border.

“This is about more than reopening a railroad crossing,” Moskowitz said. “The Jeffery Street project means faster routes for our first responders, and it means a community that’s no longer cut off from itself.”

The site of a future railroad crossing at Jeffrey Street, which will link U.S. 441 (SR-7) to Federal Highway (U.S. 1) through a new roadway. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The new crossing will create a roadway connection across the Florida East Coast Railway corridor, “restoring access between neighborhoods and improving travel options for residents, businesses, and emergency responders,” the city said in a statement. Last fall, the city approved a $468,635 contract with WGI, Inc. for the design of the new railroad crossing at Jeffrey Street. The design consists of three areas of focus: intersection improvements and signal modifications at NW 2nd Avenue and Jeffery Street; the extension of Jeffery Street from NW 2nd Avenue to the FEC (Brightline) railroad crossing; and the extension of Jeffery Street from the crossing to Federal Highway (US-1).

“It’s rewarding to see the federal funding we fought so hard for come to fruition today, but getting it done couldn’t have happened without our partnership with the City of Boca Raton, Florida East Coast Railway, and FDOT,” said Moskowitz. “I’m proud to be Boca Raton’s partner in Washington, and I will never stop until every dollar this project needs is brought back to our community where it belongs.”

The effort to create a new railroad crossing dates back to the adoption of the city’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan, which identified the extension of Clint Moore Road and Jeffery Street east of the I-95 bridge to Federal Highway as a “key transportation initiative.” The proposed extension will enhance the roadway network in the northeast section of the city, support future redevelopment opportunities, and create a continuous corridor between SR-7 and Federal Highway, a memorandum from the city manager’s office said.

The site of a future railroad crossing at Jeffrey Street, which will link U.S. 441 (SR-7) to Federal Highway (U.S. 1) through a new roadway. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

A Feasibility Study Report, also prepared by WGI, was completed in 2023 and presented conceptual plans for the Jeffery Street extension, the new FEC railroad crossing, and the associated closure of the existing NW 28th Street railroad crossing. The closure of the NW 28th Street crossing must be completed in concert with the new opening due to the distance required between crossings on that portion of the rail line. In order to create a new crossing, another must be closed.

The NW 28th Street railroad crossing in Boca Raton at the FEC (Brightline) tracks, due to be shut down. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

“Improving infrastructure is essential to maintaining the high quality of life our residents expect,” said Mayor Andy Thomson. “This project reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in the transportation network that supports a safe, connected, and thriving community. We are grateful to Congressman Moskowitz for championing this funding and supporting infrastructure investments that deliver lasting benefits for Boca Raton.”