SEBASTIAN — Not quite a year after receiving the Sebastian City Council’s blessing on plans to improve on-street parking along US 1, work is about to get underway. Crews are expected to get started today on a crosswalk and the first stretch of parking between Washington and Main streets.
Shoppers and visitors to Sebastian businesses along the northbound portion of US 1 between the two roads could see on-street parking blocked off for one or two hours at a time throughout Monday as crews stamp the asphalt and otherwise help increase the parking spots’ visibility.
Santa Cruz, of Merritt Island, was approved to tackle the nearly $275,000 job of improving the visibility of on-street parking on the east and west sides of US 1 and other enhancements to improve pedestrian and motoring safety.
Despite having a 60-day window to get the work done, a schedule provided by the city shows the contractor expects to have the improvements complete around Dec. 19.
Drivers passing through the area of US 1 between Main Street and County Road 512 are encouraged to use caution when approaching construction areas.
The major thoroughfare through town would also get more landscaping and other treatments to beautify the US 1 corridor.
Once the project is completed, the Florida Department of Transportation has said it would perform another speed study along US 1 to determine lowering the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph.
The city has been trying to get FDOT to lower the speed as a way to improve driver safety as well as help drivers see the businesses they pass while driving through town.
The schedule provided below consists of estimated dates when business along US 1 could experience construction disturbance. The dates and locations are approximate and are subject to change due to unforeseen construction problems or weather delays.
Residents or business owners with questions about the project are encouraged to contact Linda Kinchen by calling (772) 228-7052.
- Monday, Dec. 5 – Crosswalk at Main/US 1 and parking on northbound US 1 between Washington and Main.
- Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Crosswalk at Main/US 1 and parking on northbound US 1 between Main and Jefferson.
- Wednesday, Dec. 7- Crosswalk at eastbound CR 512 and US1; crosswalk at Coolidge; crosswalk at Martin; parking on northbound US 1 between Coolidge and 1020 US 1.
- Thursday, Dec. 8 – Crosswalk at eastbound CR512/US 1; crosswalk at westbound CR512 on north side; parking on southbound US 1 between CR 512 west- and eastbound.
- Friday, Dec. 9 – Crosswalk at westbound CR 512 on south side; parking on southbound US 1 between CR 512 westbound and 1133 US 1.
- Monday, Dec. 12 – Crosswalk at US 1 southbound at Jefferson; parking on southbound US 1 between Main and Truman.
- Tuesday, Dec. 13 – Crosswalk at US 1 northbound at Jefferson; parking on northbound US 1 between Jefferson and 1424 US 1.
- Wednesday, Dec. 14 – Crosswalk at US 1 southbound at Truman; parking on southbound US 1 between Truman and 1623 US 1.
- Thursday, Dec. 15 – Crosswalk at US 1 northbound at North Central; parking on northbound US 1 between1424 and 1570 US 1.
- Friday, Dec. 16 – Parking on northbound US 1 between 1570 US 1 and North Central.
- Monday, Dec. 19 – Crosswalk at US 1 northbound at Cleveland; parking on southbound US near 1623 US 1.
