State Road 70 construction cruises along in East County

Florida Department of Transportation officials say State Road 70, between Lorraine Road and County Road 675, is on its way to being a safer route for East County residents. 

The FDOT Safety Office reported the five-year average crash rate for that particular corridor was “significantly higher than the five-year statewide average crash rate for similar facilities within the state.” 

When finished, the corridor will be a four-lane, and sometimes six-lane, divided highway featuring a series of seven roundabouts, 10-foot shared use paths, 5-foot paved shoulders on both sides, street lighting, landscaping and a new drainage system. 

The project is anticipated to reduce both crashes and congestion at a cost of $98.4 million.

The updated corridor is expected to be completed in spring 2027. Until then, drivers will have to contend with construction traffic, detours and side street closures.

However, the closures will be staggered to reduce the overall impact on motorists and entrances to businesses and neighborhoods, FDOT public information specialist David Scarpelli said in an email. 

Bourneside Boulevard between State Road 70 and The Masters Avenue was closed in December and is anticipated to open in mid-March. Greenbrook Boulevard between State Road 70 and Skip Jack Loop is anticipated to close in May.

Only side streets will be impacted by the closures, not State Road 70 itself. 

The intersection at Bourneside Boulevard is where one of the seven roundabouts will be located. The signalized intersections at Greenbrook Boulevard and Lorraine Road are only being upgraded.

Both signals will be connected to the regional Advanced Traffic Management System. The ATMS monitors traffic conditions and can respond with signal timing changes to reduce congestion and clear traffic for emergency vehicles. 

The overall project is so massive, FDOT split it into two parts. Construction from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard will cost $67 million, and Bourneside Boulevard to County Road 675 will cost $31.4 million.

While it will take about two weeks before any asphalt is poured, the base for 1.5 miles of new eastbound lanes has been laid. 

The project experienced a few weeks of delays and shutdowns due to the 2024 hurricane season. Workers were diverted to recovery efforts, and some damage was done to the worksite.

Scarpelli said the heavy rainfall during Hurricane Debby caused “extensive migration of embankment material” that took weeks to recover, and the winds during Hurricanes Milton and Helene knocked down temporary signs that needed replacement.

With the 2025 hurricane season kicking off in three months, the existing drainage pathways will remain open until the final drainage system is complete. 

“The project will be capable of handling stormwater from tropical events to the extent it was able to pre-construction,” Scarpelli said.

What motorists can expect 

There are quite a few things motorists can expect to experience while traveling S.R. 70 through its reconstruction. 

Roadwork: Work will occur Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Speeding fines are doubled in work zones when workers are present. 

Smoke: Prescribed burns will continue intermittently through the summer. 

Current road closure: Bourneside Boulevard between State Road 70 and The Masters Avenue is anticipated to be closed through mid-March. Motorists should use caution in the area and follow the detour route provided by way of The Masters Avenue to Lorraine Road. 

Next road closure: Greenbrook Boulevard between State Road 70 and Skip Jack Loop is anticipated to close in May. Motorists can expect a closure in both directions. The north side of Greenbrook Boulevard and S.R. 70 will remain open. Message boards and detour signs will be provided in advance of the closure. 

Intermittent lane closures: Motorists will be provided with the start date for all lane closures in advance. Lane closures are not permitted during rush hour from 7-9:30 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. 

Lower speeds: During construction, the speed limit will be reduced from 50 mph to 45 mph on S.R. 70. Speed limits might be adjusted throughout construction. Once construction is complete, the speed limit will stay at 45 mph and be reduced to 25 mph within the roundabouts.