Design, Surveying, and Environmentally Friendly Lighting

THE PROJECT
A 4.8-mile segment of SR A1A/Ocean Boulevard, from the Palm Beach County line to SR 800/Spanish River Boulevard, required resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of the existing roadway. A safer solution was also desired for pedestrians. 

Given the coastal location, another type of traveler near the project area presented a unique challenge: Pole-mounted roadway lighting is known to interfere with the nesting of female sea turtles and disorient hatchlings.

Erdman Anthony was selected to provide highway design, land surveying services, and a ‘turtle-friendly’ lighting design for the project.

FEATURES/SOLUTIONS
The project’s improvements included:
• A continuous 10-foot-wide pedestrian pathway along the entire west side of the corridor 
• Five new midblock pedestrian crossings
• Traffic signal upgrades
• Multiple coordination meetings with the City of Boca Raton and one public information meeting
• Embedded pavement lights (LED pavement markers) designed to reduce light pollution 

IMPACTS
Pedestrian upgrades included the installation of truncated domes at all pedestrian ramps.
Our work on this project led FDOT to select Erdman Anthony to develop alternative lighting-design standards for environmentally sensitive coastal areas in Florida that are now used statewide by FDOT and others working in coastal regions.

Sustainable Design Impact Our firm’s solution reduced light pollution on beaches where sea turtles nest, prompting FDOT to adopt alternative lighting-design standards that are based on what our firm developed and that continue to protect hatchlings in coastal areas.

Awards

2009 Grand Award

American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida