A major road project is underway to fix flooding issues on Key West’s Bertha Street, which runs from Smathers Beach to Flagler Avenue. The project will also include improvements on 1st Street, which is the continuation of Bertha Street, from Flagler Avenue to North Roosevelt Boulevard.
Monroe County started the 1st Street and Bertha Street project last month. The two roads will be rebuilt and resurfaced. A new stormwater collection system will be installed on Bertha Street and the stormwater system on 1st Street will be improved.
In addition, the county partnered with the City of Key West to rebuild existing sidewalks, add additional sidewalks and ADA-compliant curb ramps, and install landscape cut-outs.
An asphalt base will be used in the road reconstruction instead of typical limerock, to minimize deterioration due to high groundwater and future sea-level rise impacts, states a press release from Monroe County.
The work, scheduled for completion in June 2022, will require lane closures and detours for extended periods. Bertha Street traffic will be detoured using Venetia and George streets. And eastbound traffic on Atlantic, turning left onto Bertha Street to go toward Flagler, will be detoured to George Street, to Venetia and back onto Bertha. Detour signs will be well marked.
Additional information about lane closures and detours will be shared as it becomes available at monroecounty-fl.gov/roadprojects.
“Crews will make an effort to minimize disruptions. Work areas will remain accessible to emergency vehicles, local traffic and residents,” the county’s release states.
The county has coordinated with the City of Key West and Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority to allow additional infrastructure improvements to occur concurrently with the project to minimize disruptions.
Monroe County’s Engineering and Roads department held a meeting with area residents in November 2019 to discuss the long-awaited project.
