Unpacking the Northlake Traffic Tangle

Unpacking the Northlake Traffic Tangle

Residents traveling along western Northlake Boulevard have likely noticed increased congestion and traffic delays. While the issue is often attributed to growth in the City of Palm Beach Gardens, the causes span multiple jurisdictions and are the result of compounding regional factors. These include Florida Department of Transportation projects along this route, development approved by Palm Beach County and unbuilt roadway improvements.

This region, which includes Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, and unincorporated Palm Beach County, is facing pressure from both infrastructure projects and rapid development.

What’s Causing the Congestion?

Several key issues are contributing to the current traffic conditions:

Rapid Growth in Westlake and Western Communities

The City of Westlake, one of the fastest-growing cities in Palm Beach County, has experienced a dramatic rise in population and housing development in the last decade. There are currently 3,035 of the approved 6,500 homes (currently approximately 17,000 residents). In addition, Palm Beach County has approved the construction of Indian Trail Groves which will bring 3,897 homes, 300,000 sq ft commercial, 50,000 sq ft of a future potential office on 4,871 acres.

FDOT Road Construction

The Florida Department of Transportation’s ongoing work on State Road 710 (Beeline Highway) has added delays. The construction has required some lane closures and detours, impacting traffic volumes and patterns on connecting roads like Northlake. This project will affect traffic through 2026.

Necessary Road Projects that Remain Unbuilt

One of the causes of congestion along the western portions of Northlake Boulevard are the unbuilt projects that Palm Beach County have yet to complete. There are several projects that Palm Beach County is constructing which will improve the traffic flow along this corridor, of which two are significant to mention. The first is the widening of Northlake Boulevard from two- to four lanes from Seminole Pratt-Whitney Road to east of Hall Boulevard. The County has indicated this project will be completed by late 2028. The next segment is to widen Northlake Boulevard from two- to six-lanes from east of Hall Boulevard to Coconut Boulevard. This segment is estimated to be complete by late 2029 according to the County. The City has urged the County to expedite these projects. Unfortunately, the City does not have any authority on the permitting or construction schedule for these projects.

How We Can Move People East and West?

Local governments are working on numerous projects to manage both current and future traffic concerns.

Support for Long-Term Road Planning

Palm Beach Gardens supports the alignment of future road extensions for Seminole Pratt Whitney Road as outlined in Palm Beach County’s 2040, 2045, and 2050 Long Range Transportation Plans, which aim to manage regional growth responsibly while minimizing impacts on established neighborhoods. In March 2025, the Palm Beach Gardens City Council approved Resolution 18, which objects to a County plan to realign Seminole Pratt Whitney Road to extend east along 100th Lane North then connect to Avenir Drive, a two-lane, narrow neighborhood road.

Coconut Boulevard Extension

One of the projects that the City does control is the new connection of Coconut Boulevard.  When Avenir was approved for development, they were required to pay for road expansion and improvements along the Northlake corridor from S.R 7 to Grapeview Blvd. The City of Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach County, and the Avenir developers all agreed, and funding was provided to Palm Beach County a number of years ago. Additionally, Avenir was required by the city to build a two-lane road extending Coconut Blvd. from Northlake to the Beeline when certain milestones were reached in the development.  The City of Palm Beach Gardens has requested that this Coconut extension be widened to four-lanes, instead of two, and has allocated funding to pay for the additional lanes. Construction of the four-lane road is underway with initial clearing complete and construction bids have been received. It will take less than two years to complete. This roadway will be under the jurisdiction and control of the City of Palm Beach Gardens until it reaches the Beeline Highway, which is a state road.

Opening State Road 7

Construction of the extension would allow traffic going to the Acreage, Westlake and communities south to be able to bypass western Northlake completely by utilizing the proposal extension. West Palm Beach is currently legally challenging this citing environmental issues.

Avenir/Northlake Widening

Ahead of schedule, Avenir has completed the widening of Northlake Boulevard from west of State Road 7 to just west of Coconut Boulevard.