TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Nancy A. Bunt, Assistant County Administrator
FROM: Adam Heltemes, P.E., Roadway Production Manager
DATE: November 1, 2025
SUBJECT: Aviation Boulevard Extension (33rd Street to 36th Street) Corridor Study / S.C.A.L.E. Report] (IRC-1761)
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
The Aviation Boulevard Extension project is identified in the 2024 MPO Prioritized Needs List and the Updated 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Based on current traffic volumes and projected growth, the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has recognized the need to extend Aviation Boulevard east of U.S. Highway 1 to 41st Street within the 2045 LRTP.
Currently, 37th Street operates at 66 and 75% of bidirectional capacity, while U.S. 1 operates at 61 and 74% of bidirectional capacity. The proposed extension is expected to relieve congestion by providing a more direct northern and eastern connection to the hospital and surrounding medical offices.
Please note: Due to the size of the study, it is not included as part of the printed agenda. It can be viewed online or a printed copy can be viewed at the BCC office.
ANALYSIS
This Corridor Study evaluates the impacts of the proposed extension between 33rd Street and 36th Street. The western terminus at 33rd Street corresponds with the preferred alignment identified in the FDOT SR 5/U.S. 1 at Aviation Boulevard Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study. Most of the corridor will require new roadway right-of-way, with improvements planned for approximately 600 feet on 35th Lane south of 36th Street.
The proposed cross-section includes:
• Two-lane rural roadway section
• Buffered bicycle lanes
• Pedestrian facilities on both sides of the roadway
In December 2024, FDOT granted Location and Design Concept Acceptance for the SR 5/U.S. 1 at Aviation Boulevard PD&E Study in the City of Vero Beach. That project begins at 27th Avenue and includes intersection improvements along U.S. 1, extending to 33rd Street. The proposed Aviation Boulevard Extension will connect to these improvements and extend eastward to 35th Lane, with construction expected to coincide with or follow FDOT’s project timeline. FDOT’s timeline for construction depends upon budget approval and is currently projected for 2032.
On April 8, 2025, Work Order No. 19 was issued to Kimley-Horn to prepare a Corridor Study / S.C.A.L.E. Report evaluating five key factors to determine the most feasible roadway alignment:
• Safety
• Cost
• Alternative Alignments
• Long-Range Planning
• Environmental Considerations
The study divided the corridor into two segments:
• Segment 1 (South): Connection to the FDOT intersection improvement project
• Segment 2 (North): Connection to 35th Lane
Feasible alternatives were identified as follows:
• No Build
• Segment 1 (South): Alternatives D and E
• Segment 2 (North): Alternatives F, G, and H
The preferred alignment combines Alternative E (South) and Alternative H (North), shown in Figure 12 (Page 30) of the attached report. This alignment provides a direct connection from the City of Vero Beach's 13th Avenue to the Aviation Boulevard Extension.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no cost to the County associated with this request at this time.
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
A request for Work Order approval for the design and engineering phase for the preferred alignment identified in the report will be brought to the Board for approval. Funding for design is currently provided within the Capital Improvements Transportation Element.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Overall, the report provides a strategic and technical foundation for decisions that enhance safety, improve mobility, and guide future corridor development.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Board approve this Corridor Study of the proposed extension between 33rd Street and 36th Street.