Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Ask Dr. Detour
U.S. 441 project set to wrap up by fall.
Q: Can you tell me and my friends what are they constructing on U.S. 441, from Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach going south to Clint Moore Road in Boca Raton? It looks like they might be adding a third lane in each direction or perhaps some kind of drainage. — Alan Silver, Delray Beach
A: Correct on both counts. This 2.4-mile road-widening project began in mid-January. Work includes shoulder widening, repaving the roadway, drainage improvements, utility adjustments, curb and gutter installation, and sidewalk, driveway, signage, pavement marking, lighting and signalization upgrades.
The $4.7 million project is expected to be completed in the fall, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
As a result of this work, traffic may be reduced to one lane 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, through June.
Q: What’s the latest on south Florida train horns. I heard some news on Quiet Zones coming? — Brian Payton, Lighthouse Point
A: The Quiet Zone improvements are scheduled to be in place by the time the Brightline express trains begin service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in late July.
Service to Miami is expected to follow in late August. The company is expecting a grand opening of the high-speed passenger service in September.
Most of the approximately 200 South Florida railroad crossings have been upgraded along the Florida East Coast Railway corri-
dor that parallels Federal and Dixie highways, according to FEC officials.
Improvements include four-way or quad crossing gates, medians, signal lights and warning bells designed to discourage vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the tracks when a train is coming.
The enhanced safety measures would eliminate the need for freight and passenger trains to sound their horns unless there was an emergency.
Gaps between existing Quiet Zone crossings along Tri-Rail tracks west of Interstate 95 were to be upgraded as well.