Let me begin by saying thank you.  As we are truly grateful to those who serve on the front lines of this emergency, I also want to thank everyone who has had to sacrifice businesses, employment, and many of the normal activities of life in Palm Beach County to help fight the spread of COVID-19.  I know that this has been hard, and I imagine that many residents of our county – myself included – recall the stories of our parents and grandparents who endured great hardship for a common purpose.  Many families have suffered tremendous loss, and your adherence to recommended precautions and wearing masks in stores and public places shows consideration for your fellow citizens.

               
Our return to normalcy will be a gradual process and we will have to closely monitor this virus as more of our businesses and venues reopen, so that we can thwart a major recurrence.

Your county government is dedicated to preserving our quality of life and providing assistance to those most vulnerable.  During this emergency, our departments have continued to provide services to the public and I am proud of their efforts.  Among our many programs, roadway projects have continued, including milling and resurfacing improvements on the following road segments:

• Prosperity Farms Road, from Northlake Boulevard to Hood Road
• Donald Ross Road, from I-95 to Alternate A1A
• Central Boulevard from Donald Ross Road to Indian Creek Parkway

In addition, County Engineering has completed the first implementation phase of the Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) left turn signal indicators at intersections in South County.  The FYA traffic signal has been used nationwide for over 10 years, including more than 100 locations in Florida.  This has become the standard for all new and modified signals in the county. Recently installed signals at four intersections in the Town of Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens area have been identified for FYA implementation starting in mid-May through July.  

The FYA signal indication will replace the traditional solid circular green indication for the following two left-turn signal types:

- Permissive Only -  only a solid circular green indication is displayed and motorists must always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before completing the left turn; and,

- Protected/Permissive - comprised of two parts: a "protected" left-turn phase initiated by a green arrow signal indication where oncoming traffic must stop and it is safe to turn left, followed by a "permissive" part during which a solid circular green signal is displayed and left turning traffic must yield to oncoming traffic.

During the FYA display, drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic and/or pedestrians in the crosswalk. National research has shown that after a short learning period, FYA is more easily understood by motorists and helps improve the safety at signalized intersections for motorists and pedestrians.  It also offers motorists more opportunities to make left turns which help reduce wait times and allows for additional traffic signal timing options to enhance traffic signal synchronization.

Palm Beach County will be mailing a Tip Card to residents within the project implementation area. For more information, please visit the Traffic Division's website, http://discover.pbcgov.org/engineering/traffic/Pages/default.aspx.

As always, if there is any way I can assist you, please contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org. Remember, wash your hands, physically distance, and be safe.