TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Missie Barletto, Public Works Director
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: May 20, 2025
Title
PRESENTATION OF THE SWINTON / ATLANTIC INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Receive presentation concerning the ongoing traffic studies and design for improving pedestrian safety and traffic flow at the intersection of Swinton Avenue and Atlantic Avenue.
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Background:
The City of Delray Beach (City) has a vibrant downtown that attracts both local and regional visitors as well as international tourists. The downtown is experiencing a resurgence in real estate with significant development planned to occur both east and west of Swinton Avenue along Atlantic Avenue. The City is interested in serving existing businesses, residents, and visitors as well as the significant development and increased density anticipated in downtown Delray Beach as it continues to evolve into a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly area.
The project limits include the City’s Urban Core, defined as the area in downtown Delray Beach bordered by SW 2nd Avenue to the west, SE 2nd Avenue to the east, SW 1st Street to the South and NW 1st Street to the north. The project aims to reduce traffic congestion on W Atlantic Avenue as it approaches downtown Delray Beach from the west by encouraging motorists to use SW 2nd Avenue to SW 1st Street as a bypass route, improve pedestrian safety at the W Atlantic Avenue intersections with NW/SW 2nd Avenue, NW/SW 1st Avenue and N/S Swinton Avenue, and implement a midblock pedestrian crossing along N Swinton Avenue midway between W Atlantic Avenue and NW/NE 1st Street. Specific attention is given to improve traffic circulation within the core urban area, streetscape, urban design, and architecture to facilitate parking as well as other modes of transportation.
The City initiated a study of the Swinton and Atlantic Intersection to propose improvements to issues with traffic congestion and bicycle/pedestrian safety in April 2019, prior to the pandemic. The traffic modeling associated with this project includes assumptions of additional traffic that may be added by proposed development in the vicinity. A number of public meetings and charrettes were held to gather public input on potential solutions to the identified issues. In February 2020, the project was presented to the City Manager and several department heads. At that time, the decision was made to bring this project forward to the City Commission along with the Parking and Curbside Management Plan in order to present a holistic approach to addressing issues in this area. This traffic study and conceptual design plan were presented to the City Commission on March 1, 2022.
The City Commission approved an agreement for design services with Kimley Horn on April 16, 2024 and those efforts are ongoing and are presently at 60% completion. A public meeting to discuss the ongoing design was held on November 7, 2024. Additionally, meetings to present to the DDA occured in March 2025 and Chamber of Commerce in April 2025.
This presentation is to show the current design progress and plans for improvements to the Swinton Avenue and Atlantic Avenue intersection.
City Attorney Review:
N/A
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
N/A
Timing of Request:
N/A