When: Event is Saturday, July 4th, 2009, from 5:00-10:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown WPB

(07/01/09) The City of West Palm Beach is proud to host the area’s biggest and best Independence Day event, “4th on Flagler.” At this year’s event we’ll “Let Freedom Ring” on Saturday, July 4th, 2009 from 5:00-10:00 p.m. along the beautiful downtown waterfront.

The following are the road closures for the event:
Flagler Drive will be closed from Fern Street to Lakeview Avenue beginning Friday, July 3rd at 9:00 a.m. In preparation for a road work project, Flagler will reopen on Monday, July 6, 2009 by 6:00 p.m. and will reopen with one lane open in each direction between Fern Street and Lakeview Avenue.
Fern Street will be closed to thru traffic from Olive Avenue to Flagler Drive beginning Friday, July 3rd at 9:00 a.m. The road will reopen by Monday, July 6th at 6:00 p.m.
Beginning Saturday, July 4th at 1:00 p.m., Tanglewood Court will be closed from Dixie Highway to Chase Street, Trinity Place will be closed from Dixie Highway to Chase Street and Chase Street will be closed from Lakeview Avenue to Tanglewood Court. These roads will reopen no later than Sunday, July 5th at noon.
As a reminder, there will be NO activities from Banyan Blvd. to Fern Street due to construction for the new City Commons waterfront project. There will also be NO 4th on Flagler activities at the Meyer Amphitheatre.

The three new West Palm Beach City docks will be open to the public for FREE on July 4th for vessels and pedestrians. The three docks can accommodate up to 50 vessels which will be allowed to tie up on a first-come, first-served basis. However, there will be NO DOCKING ACTIVITY for vessels between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Vessels will not be allowed to enter or leave the docks during this time due to the fireworks show. Guests planning to use the docks on July 4 should make note of these times and plan accordingly.

All boaters are also asked to take note of the following information:

Spectator vessels should not anchor on a coral reef. If a vessel anchors in the Elkhorn/Staghorn coral critical habitat, it should anchor over a sandy bottom that is free from coral or Johnson’s sea grass.
All vessels should maintain a lookout for endangered species, especially sea turtles and manatees. Vessels should proceed at a safe speed, especially at night, in order to avoid striking any marine mammal or sea turtle.

“REPORT ANY COLLISION WITH, INJURY, OR DEATHS OF MANATEE(S) OR MARINE TURTLE(S) IMMEDIATELY TO THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISION’S LAW ENFORCEMENT HOTLINE AT 1.888.404.FWCC FOR RESCUE AND/OR RECOVERY”.

Spectators should refrain from utilizing flashlights or shooting fireworks on the beach. This could cause a distraction to nesting sea turtles. In addition, spectators are reminded not to disturb sea turtle nests. Also, spectators are encouraged to leave the beach at the conclusion of the fireworks display and throw away all of their trash. Additional information may be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

A federal or state agency may impose a civil fine of $25,000 and/or a criminal penalty of $50,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail for violating the Endangered Species Act or state statute by “taking” an endangered or threatened species or damaging coral.

A “take” is defined as harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, collecting, or attempting to engage in such conduct.

REPORT SIGHTINGS OF ANY INJURED OR DEAD PROTECTED SPECIES IMMEDIATELY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE INJURY OR DEATH IS CAUSED BY YOUR VESSEL.

Report marine mammals to the Southeast U.S. Stranding Hotline: 877-433-8299.

Report sea turtles to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office: 727-824-5312.

For more information about 4th on Flagler please call 561-822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org/4th.

When:  Beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 6:00 a.m.
Affected Area:  Flagler Drive between Banyan Blvd. and Fern Street

Due to necessary stormwater improvements, Flagler Drive will be closed between Banyan Boulevard and Fern Street beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 6:00 a.m.  The road is expected to reopen by September 30, 2009.

All residents, business and their customers will have access to their destinations near the construction area.  The City has coordinated with local businesses and residences in an effort to minimize the project’s impact.  The new City public docks along Flagler Drive will remain open to the public throughout the road work.  The project will not affect the City’s 4th on Flagler festivities which will be located between Fern Street and Lakeview Avenue.

Northbound traffic on Flagler Drive will detour at Fern Street to Olive Avenue.  Southbound traffic on Flagler Drive will detour at Banyan Boulevard to Narcissus Avenue.

When:  Beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Affected Area:  Roads Bordering CityCenter, downtown WPB

(03/09/09)  Motorists should be aware of the following road closures in downtown West
Palm Beach due to road paving work adjacent to the CityCenter project:

On Tuesday, March 10, 2009, Dixie Highway will be closed between Banyan Boulevard and
Clematis Street from 6:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, March 11, 2009, Clematis Street will be closed between Dixie Highway and
Quadrille Boulevard beginning at 6:00 a.m.  The road will reopen no later than 5:00 p.m.  later that day.

On Thursday, March 12, 2009, one northbound lane of Quadrille Boulevard will be closed from Clematis Street to Banyan Boulevard beginning at 6:00 a.m.  The road will reopen no later than 5:00 p.m.

When:  Beginning Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 9:00 p.m.
Affected Area:  I-95 northbound entrance ramp from Southern Blvd.

(03/03/09)  Motorists should be aware that the I-95 northbound entrance ramp from Southern Boulevard will be closed for reconstruction work beginning Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 9:00 p.m.  The full closure of this ramp is expected to last until approximately the end of March 2009.

Motorists should detour via Australian Avenue or Parker Avenue to Belvedere Road.

When:  Friday, February 13, 2009
Affected Area:  See below

(02/12/09)  Motorists should be aware that traffic delays will be possible during the funeral procession for former West Palm Beach Police Chief William Barnes on Friday, February 13, 2009.

The procession will leave Quattlebaum Funeral Services at 1201 Olive Avenue at approximately noon.  The procession will head south on Olive Avenue, then west on Forest Hill Boulevard and then north on Parker Avenue to Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Delays will be possible along this route.

What:  Road work on I-95/Okeechobee Blvd. Interchange
When:  Beginning Monday, February 16, 2009 at 5:00 a.m.
Affected Area:  Ramp from eastbound Okeechobee Blvd. to I-95 north.

(02/12/09)  Motorists should be aware that the eastbound Okeechobee Boulevard to I-95 northbound ramp will be closed for a period of approximately one month beginning Monday, February 16, 2009 at 5:00 a.m.

Motorists may detour via Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.

The ramp is being closed for reconstruction as part of ongoing road work in the area.

What:  Race for the Cure Road Closings
When:  Saturday, January 31, 2009
Affected Area:  Flagler Drive, downtown WPB

Due to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Flagler Drive will be closed to traffic from Lakeview Avenue to 25th Street on Saturday, January 31st, 2009 between 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Motorists should also be aware of these additional closings:  Banyan Boulevard, Evernia Street and Fern Street will be closed from Olive Avenue to Flagler Drive; and, North Clematis Street, South Clematis Street and Datura Street will be closed from Narcissus Street to Flagler Drive.

Participants should visit http://www.komensouthflorida.org/ for parking and shuttle information.

For Additional Information:
Peter Robbins
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer
(561) 822-1433

When:  Beginning Friday, January 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
Affected Area:  Flagler Drive and some adjacent roads, downtown WPB

(01/21/09)  Motorists should be aware that several downtown WPB roads will be closed to traffic this weekend due to three events:  Kaleidoscope 2009, Supercar Weekend and the Dr. Feelgood’s One Year Anniversary party.

For Supercar Weekend, Flagler Drive will be closed to traffic from Fern Street to Lakeview Avenue beginning on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.  Flagler will reopen no later than midnight on Sunday, January 25, 2009.

The following are the road closures for Kaleidoscope 2009:
Beginning Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.:  Flagler Drive will be closed from Banyan Boulevard to Fern Street; South Clematis Street and North Clematis Street will be closed from Narcissus Avenue to Flagler Drive; Narcissus Avenue will be closed from Datura Street to Evernia Street; and Fern Street and Evernia Street will be closed from Olive Avenue to Flagler Drive.  Datura Street will be open to local traffic only between Olive Avenue and Flagler Drive.

All the roads closed for Kaleidoscope will reopen no later than midnight on Sunday, January 25, 2009.

Clematis Street will be closed from Olive Avenue to Narcissus Avenue on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight for the Dr. Feelgood’s One Year Anniversary.

Whether there’s a pothole on your street, you notice a traffic signal that’s not working or you want to find out about an upcoming band at Clematis by Night, there is one number to call:

561-822-2222

This 24-hour a day, seven day a week hotline is available for all your non-emergency needs and concerns.  City of West Palm Beach workers will take your call and then take action to get you what you need.

With this one, convenient number, there’s no more wondering who to call or where to turn when you need something from the City of West Palm Beach.  822-2222 is easy to remember, but if you program it in to your cell phone’s speed dial it’s even easier to use!

So give us a call when you see something that needs fixing or something that can be improved.  And if it’s easier for you to type us a note than to call, then you can always drop us an email at 822@wpb.org.
Remember: ALWAYS call 911 for emergencies.

When:  Beginning Monday, December 15, 2008
Affected Area:  4th Street between N. Flagler Drive and N. Quadrille Blvd.

(12-12-08)  Motorists should be aware that the City of West Palm Beach will be doing road work on 4th Street between N. Quadrille Boulevard and N. Flagler Drive beginning the afternoon of Monday, December 15, 2008.  The work is expected to be completed by Wednesday, December 24, 2008.  Work hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Crews will be milling and resurfacing 4th Street.  Eastbound travel lanes will be closed during this project.  One westbound travel lane will be open to thru traffic only. Barricades and detour signs will be installed, and a flagman will be on-site to direct traffic as necessary.  All businesses in the work zone will remain open throughout this project.

Motorists are advised not to park vehicles on 4th Street during this project.