WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Commuters in downtown West Palm Beach are expressing frustration over the traffic congestion at the intersection of Parker Avenue and Okeechobee Boulevard, where backups can extend for a quarter mile daily.
Local resident James Porter, a commuter from Boynton Beach, described the struggle during peak hours.
“I do get stuck here at times,” he said. “Around four o'clock, 4:30, you can't even move here.”
WATCH: WPTV speaks with frustrated drivers at intersection
Drivers are often left sitting bumper to bumper while trying to turn left from Parker Avenue onto Okeechobee Boulevard. Another commuter, Mike Sand, suggested a possible solution, stating, “I think ideally, it would be great if two lanes turned left.”
Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss is advocating for a solution aimed at easing traffic in this area. He is proposing to add an additional left turn lane on Parker Avenue, which would effectively double the number of vehicles that can turn left without altering the existing roadway configuration, apart from some necessary painting.
“It makes a lot of sense and relatively low cost to be able to improve this intersection,” Weiss explained.
He also plans to introduce a left-turn signal light in conjunction with the new lane. The proposal includes converting a blocked-off area into a right-turn lane, allowing existing lanes to shift and create space for the new left-turn lane.
Currently, Weiss's team notes that vehicles turning left only have a few seconds to make the turn, with fewer than 10 cars able to pass through the light at a time. His goal is to reduce the long waits for drivers and enhance the overall flow of traffic.
“It would alleviate all the traffic here, and people want to get on 95, and it would help with that,” Porter added, echoing the sentiments of other frustrated commuters.
Sand concurs, stating, “We're in full alignment” of anything that cuts down their commutes.
Weiss has submitted his proposal to the city for approval.
WPTV received a statement from Director of Engineering Services Kevin C. Volbrecht to Commissioner Weiss:
The City's understanding is that traffic signalization timing within that intersection has been adjusted by County traffic engineering during rush hour to prioritize Okeechobee Blvd east/west traffic. That has likely been a significant factor for delays on north/south traffic on Parker Ave as well as on Tamarind Ave north of Okeechobee.
The city is in the preliminary design stages for traffic and crossing enhancements at Parker and Old Okeechobee. Traffic data analysis for that project may help with determining a solution for north/south traffic flow on Parker Ave. We will work with County staff on the traffic data analysis for that intersection as well as the future implementation of the County's smart signalization project on the Okeechobee Parker/Tamarind intersection, which should also improve future traffic flow.
For now, commuters continue to navigate the challenging intersection in hopes of a timely resolution.
