Here's what's next for the Old Kings Road widening project

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author in his personal capacity and do not necessarily represent the opinions or the views of the City of Palm Coast or the Palm Coast City Council.

Question from Kristy Das: Every article I read about new development near Old Kings Road mentions "the future widening project," or "there is concern about the fact that Old Kings isn't widened yet." You even mentioned it in your last article. What is the timeline for this widening? I'm speaking specifically about North Old Kings.

Mayor David Alfin: Widening Old Kings Road North, Ms. Das, is really important for our community, so I thank you for your inquiry. This project is desperately needed to control traffic congestion and road safety. It will also improve resident evacuation in case of an emergency.

Palm Coast has been working since 2009 to fund the widening of Old King Road North, from Palm Coast Parkway all the way to Matanzas High School.

Phase I was completed in 2021, from Palm Coast Parkway north to Kings Way. Phase II will be next, from Kings Way north to Frontier Drive. The project will widen the roadway to four lanes and add turn lanes, street lighting and 8-foot-wide paths on both sides of the road.

Project design is currently underway, and we are now waiting to finalize our agreement with FDOT for funding. Once the agreement is signed, we will have a more definite idea of our timeline. Please keep in touch with us about this project.

Question from Mara Jesena Wuerth: Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Mayor. I would like to ask when the city plans to move on the flooding issues. And just a suggestion, don’t you think it would be a great idea to include a few of your constituents that don’t work for the city or isn’t a builder in the conversation? Full transparency is needed and the people impacted by this would know that you do care about fixing this issue and that the solution is coming sooner rather than later.

Mayor David Alfin: I, too, wish you a happy holiday and I’m so glad to hear from you again, Ms. Wuerth. Keeping the lines of communication open to each other is most important to me, and also to Vice Mayor Danko and to Council Members Pontieri, Klufas and Heighter.

We took an oath of office to protect, stand by and safeguard our residents, and that is exactly what we intend to do. As we are learning more from residents affected by this issue, we are becoming more sensitive to what is needed. Here is some updated information for you:

We will be completing the editing of our Technical Manual, and revisions should be finished by the end of the year. In the meantime, we’ve revised our drainage plan review procedures, which does include opening communication lines with builders, prior to the beginning of their construction procedures.
The stormwater section of our Technical Manual, regarding driveways, drainage plans and elevations, was sent to the Home Builders Association for them to distribute to builders and contractors for review and comment.
As we try to sort through this complex issue, we’ve determined that there are so many elements that are affecting drainage on Palm Coast lots. Whether it concerns ITT’s original property plan, permitting from either the county or city, stormwater that’s meant to flow to swales, different age homes built next door to homes that are settling or affected by various plantings, sod, or pools – everything is playing a part in determining how to address this issue.
Our staff is developing a specific protocol to respond to residents that are affected by construction next door to them. We are currently tracking those residents to appropriately respond.

Once again, I’m glad you reached out to me, and I hope you will continue to do so. I will continue to respond with any updated information I have as our staff and our home-building community work together to reach solutions for all parties concerned.