How officials plan to curb traffic when president arrives
ing signal timing, using the electronic message boards on I-95 and monitoring trafPresident Donald Trump’s fic signals. arrival in Palm Beach County “We ’ v e b e e n wo r k i n g this afternoon once again closely with the town of Palm could put hi s motorcade Beach as far as access and on the road at the onset of helping drivers,” Count y rush hour. Engineer George Webb said.
But three presidential visits, At the Florida Department Palm Beach County and state of Transportation, work is officials say, have taught lesunderway on a traffic mansons they hope can help them agement plan that officials prevent the sort of gridlock will “review periodic ally seen in Palm Beach and in the and update as needed,” said area around Southern Bouagency spokesman Chuck levard in West Palm Beach. McGinness.
The president is expected Here’s a look at a few ways to arrive at Palm Beach Intertraffic is being managed: national Airport sometime Traffic signals: Webb’s after 3:30 p.m., according to team has a traffic signal timing flight restrictions issued by plan that can help ease some the Federal Aviation Adminof the burden on the east-west istration. That could mean routes onto the island. Engithe motorcade for Trump’s neers are reviewing that plan trip from the airport to his to make sure the “recovery” Mar-a-Lago Club will be on time — how quickly traffic can Southern Boulevard between get flowing smoothly once 4 and 4:30 p.m. the motorcade passes — con
The Secret Service said it tinues to improve, he said. will close South Ocean BouleE l e c t r o n i c me s s a g e vard from Southern to South signs: Based on a request Count y Road near Mar-afrom the Palm Beach County Lago — as it has on Trump’s Sheriff ’s Office, McGinness visits since his inauguration said FDOT will program its — beginning at 8 a.m. today electronic message boards through late Sunday evening, on I-95 and Southern Boulewhen Trump is expected to vard to warn drivers of the return to Washington. road closure near Mar-a-Lago.
The combination of motorTraffic cameras: Both cade-related closures and the state and county personnel Secret Service roadblocks keep an eye on the slew of have led to tie-ups on streets closed-circuit cameras posiadjoining Southern Bouletioned around the motorvard, as well as the primary cade route to watch for gridaccess routes in Palm Beach. lock, tweaking signal timing
As alternate routes, drivas needed. ers can use Belvedere Road R o y a l P a r k B r i d g e : or Forest Hill Boulevard for This span, which connects east-west travel, and MiliOkeechobee Boulevard in tary Trail or Florida’s TurnWest Palm with Royal Palm pike for north-south travel. Way in Palm Beach, serves But backups also can hapas a primary route for peopen there as more cars pile ple trying to get off the island onto those roads instead of after the Secret Service shuts Southern Boulevard, Interdown the road next to Marstate 95 or Dixie Highway. a-Lago. On Trump’s Presi
To help ease the pain, offidents Day weekend visit, the cials are working together Coast Guard restricted the with an evolving plan that bridge’s openings for three includes managing the openhours around his arrival. ing and closing schedule of the Royal Park Bridge, adjust-