- April 24, 2024
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FDOT contractors rebuild State Road A1A. Photo courtesy of Flagler County government
Gov. Ron DeSantis meets with local officials in Flagler County. Photo courtesy of Flagler County government
Photo courtesy of Flagler County government
Damage along Highway A1A from Hurricane Nicole. Photo courtesy of Flagler County Sheriff's Office
Photo courtesy of Flagler County government
Photo courtesy of Flagler County government
Photo courtesy of Flagler County government
Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, speaks with County Commissioner Greg Hansen. Photo courtesy of Flagler County government
Damaged sections of State Road A1A were reopened on Saturday Nov. 12, just days after Hurricane Nicole caused significant damage up and down the highway.
The Florida Department of Transportation began work fixing the collapsed and eroded sections on Thursday, Nov. 10, according to a press release from Governor Ron DeSantis' office — just hours after the worse of the storm had passed.
“FDOT has completed emergency repairs on the last three storm-damaged sections of S.R. A1A, and reopened the roadway after only three days of work,” DeSantis said.
In Flagler County, FDOT made repairs from South 28th Street to South 7th Street in Flagler Beach, and from South Central Avenue in Flagler Beach to Highbridge Road in Volusia County. Repairs were also made in Vilano Beach in St. Johns County, Marineland at the Flagler County line, and from Wisteria Drive to Sunny Beach Drive in Ormond by the Sea in Volusia County, the press release said.
Crews placed nearly 11,000 cubic yards of sand — more than 600 truckloads worth, the release said; FDOT also cleaned sand and debris from 14 miles of A1A in both Volusia and Flagler County.
Hurricane Nicole significantly damaged the highway by "washing out nearby dunes, eating into the shoulder, and undermining the roadway," the press release said. The roadway was filled and stabilized using "thousands of yards of fill material" on dozens of dump trucks, it said.
“FDOT’s goal was to get the roadway accessible again as quickly as possible," FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue said. “The department continues to work closely with local agency partners, law enforcement, and the community to respond, rebuild, and recover from Hurricane Nicole as safely and quickly as possible.”
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will also direct $20 million in funding for emergency sand placement to local governments' efforts to fight dune and beach erosion caused by Hurricanes Nicole and Ian, according to a press release from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
“We will help our coastal communities fully recover from the impacts of Hurricane Nicole,” DeSantis said. “This $20 million will address immediate, emergency needs across several storm-impacted beaches while we work to identify additional funding to replace infrastructure and help the area rebuild.”
“Securing our coastal roads and restoring our local beaches is a top priority,” House Speaker Paul Renner said, according to the press release. “I am grateful to Governor DeSantis for emergency funding to immediately address the needs in our community to help our state bounce back from the effects of Hurricane Ian and Nicole.”
