🗣️ Shape Palm Bay’s Future Roads! Your Voice Needed on Key Projects & Funding

Palm Bay, FL – Palm Bay residents, your input is needed on two separate but equally important fronts affecting our roads! First, the City of Palm Bay is moving forward with designing the St. Johns Heritage Parkway (SJHP) widening. Second, and with an urgent deadline, the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO) is asking for your feedback on regional plans that decide which projects get funded – a key chance to champion Palm Bay’s needs.

🏙️ City Focus: St. Johns Heritage Parkway Widening Design Underway

The City of Palm Bay, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), has initiated the design phase for future roadway widening of the St. Johns Heritage Parkway. This project aims to address the significant traffic congestion currently experienced along this key corridor.

Project Limits: From Malabar Road to North of Emerson Drive in Brevard County, a distance of approximately three miles.
Purpose: To alleviate current traffic congestion.
Current Status: The design phase has begun. According to the City’s announcement, this study is expected to be completed by July 2026.
Design Funding: The design phase is currently funded for approximately $3.2 million.
Key Point for Future Advocacy: Crucially, the City’s announcement states that construction for this widening project is currently UNFUNDED. Additionally, no right-of-way acquisition is anticipated as part of this specific design project.

While there isn’t a formal public comment period announced by the City for this specific design phase update, residents are encouraged to stay informed:

Visit the City’s Project Website: More information can be found Here at the city website.
Contact the City’s Project Manager: For specific questions about this design project, contact Christeen Sullivan at (321) 726-5665 x 6215 or via email at christine.sullivan@palmbayfl.gov.

Understanding this City-led design effort is vital for informed future advocacy to secure the necessary construction funding for the SJHP widening.

🌐 Regional Impact: SCTPO Seeks Public Input on Major Transportation Plans – Your Chance to Advocate!

The Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO) plays a critical role in planning and programming state and federal transportation funds for all of Brevard County, including Palm Bay. The SCTPO has opened a 30-day public comment period, running from May 23 to June 20, 2025, for two important draft documents:

Draft FY 2026 List of Project Priorities (LoPP):

What it is: Think of the LoPP as a ‘wish list’ of road, bike/pedestrian, and tech projects that need funding. It’s where we tell the SCTPO what Palm Bay needs most, like getting the St. Johns Heritage Parkway widening construction fully paid for and ranked as a top priority.
Palm Bay Projects: Besides the SJHP, other Palm Bay area projects that residents might see or advocate for in the LoPP include improvements to Malabar Road, Babcock Street, Minton Road, and ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) on Emerson Drive and San Filippo Drive. Review the full LoPP documents for specifics.
View the Draft LoPP: www.spacecoasttpo.com/LOPP

Draft FY 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP):

What it is: The TIP lists all transportation projects that already have funding secured and are planned for the next five years. It’s important to see what’s on this list for Palm Bay and if it meets our community’s needs.
Palm Bay in the TIP: For example, the current draft TIP shows that a section of the St. Johns Heritage Parkway (from Ellis Road to west of Wickham Road) has money set aside for different work stages between 2026 and 2030. This includes funds for early construction activities, managing traffic flow, and money from local and regional sources. Another Palm Bay project, improving Malabar Road (from SJHP to San Filippo Blvd), has specific funds for construction scheduled for 2029. Residents should review the TIP to see what work is currently funded and if these plans meet our community’s needs.
View the Draft TIP: www.spacecoasttpo.com/TIP

Understanding SJHP Funding: It’s important to note that while the City states the Malabar to Emerson widening construction is unfunded, segments or different phases of the St. Johns Heritage Parkway (like the Ellis Rd to Wickham Rd portion mentioned in the TIP) may already have some funding programmed through the SCTPO. Public comments can seek clarity and advocate for the prioritization and full funding of all necessary segments and phases of the SJHP to ensure comprehensive traffic relief.

📢 How Palm Bay Residents Can Make an Impact (Your Voice Matters!)

This is a critical window for Palm Bay residents to influence transportation planning and funding.

1. Submit Comments to the SCTPO (Deadline: June 20, 2025):

Review the Documents:

Draft FY 2026 LoPP: www.spacecoasttpo.com/LOPP (Advocate for Palm Bay’s unfunded priorities)
Draft FY 2026-2030 TIP: www.spacecoasttpo.com/TIP (Review already funded projects)

How to Submit Comments:

Online: Via the Public Comment Portal links on the SCTPO website (see LoPP and TIP pages).
Phone: 321-690-6890.
In Writing: Attn: Sarah Kraum, Space Coast TPO, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Building B, Room 105, Melbourne FL 32940.

2. Attend the SCTPO Annual Open House: 🗓️

This is an excellent opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and provide direct feedback.

Theme: “Investing in Tomorrow’s Transportation, Together!”
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
Location: Center for Collaboration, 1100 Rockledge Blvd, Rockledge, FL 32955.
Details: The event is FREE to attend, but registration is required.

Register Here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/5wp3jjx

Can’t Attend in Person? The workshop presentation will be streamed live. If viewing online and wishing to make a public comment, submit comments ahead of time to abby.hemenway@sctpo.com (comments read aloud are limited to 3 minutes).

3. Key Advocacy Points for Palm Bay:

St. Johns Heritage Parkway: Tell the SCTPO to make the full construction funding for widening the St. Johns Heritage Parkway (from Malabar to N. of Emerson) a top priority in their LoPP.
Other Palm Bay Needs: Urge the SCTPO to prioritize funding for other key Palm Bay projects listed in the LoPP, including needed improvements on Malabar Road, Babcock Street, Minton Road, and technology upgrades for Emerson Drive and San Filippo Drive.
Review the TIP: Ensure Palm Bay’s projects already in the TIP meet community expectations for scope and timelines.

✅ Why This Matters to Palm Bay Residents

Your input directly influences decisions that impact daily life in Palm Bay. Effective transportation planning leads to:

Reduced traffic congestion and commute times. 🚗
Improved roadway safety for all users. 🚦
Better access for bicyclists and pedestrians. 🚲🚶‍♀️
Support for local economic development and quality of life. 💼

By participating in the SCTPO’s public comment period and staying informed about City projects, Palm Bay residents can ensure our community’s transportation priorities are heard and addressed in regional and state funding decisions.

Make Your Voice Heard for Palm Bay’s Future Roads!

Don’t miss this chance to shape our community’s transportation future. The deadline for comments on the SCTPO’s vital planning documents is June 20, 2025.

Attend the SCTPO Open House on June 11th to engage directly with planners and make your priorities known.