Fort Lauderdale to begin major Riverland Road traffic calming improvements to make the busy corridor safer

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists using Riverland Road should expect construction activity beginning next week as the City of Fort Lauderdale moves ahead with a project designed to slow traffic and improve safety along the busy roadway.

The city is working with Sagaris Corp. on traffic calming improvements along Riverland Road between State Road 7 and SW 19th Street. Construction is expected to begin the week of August 17, 2026, with the work scheduled to continue into the spring of 2027.

The project is focused on reducing vehicle speeds while making the roadway safer for everyone who uses it. Rather than relying only on signs or enforcement, the improvements will change portions of the road itself to encourage drivers to slow down.

Plans call for raised intersections at key locations along the corridor. The project will also include raised crosswalks and a new median refuge island.

Raised intersections can help reduce speeds by requiring vehicles to travel over a slightly elevated section of roadway. Raised crosswalks are intended to provide pedestrians with safer crossing points while also encouraging motorists to slow as they approach them.

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The new median refuge island will provide another safety feature for people crossing the road. Together, the improvements are expected to create a calmer traffic environment along Riverland Road.

Construction will take place Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The city said the schedule could change because of bad weather or other unforeseen conditions.

Residents and commuters should also prepare for traffic disruptions while the project is underway. Partial lane closures will occur along Riverland Road in phases as different portions of the work are completed.

Motorists traveling through the construction area are being asked to follow posted signs and drive carefully. With work expected to continue for several months, drivers may encounter changing traffic patterns as crews move from one section of the roadway to another.

The city is asking the public for patience and cooperation during the construction period. While the work may create temporary delays, the project is intended to provide long-term safety improvements once it is finished.

The Riverland Road project is part of the city’s broader effort to improve conditions for people traveling through Fort Lauderdale. The planned changes are aimed at motorists, but pedestrians and cyclists are also expected to benefit from the redesigned areas and additional traffic-calming features.

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Residents with questions about the project can contact Danica Grujicic, senior project manager with the Capital Projects Department, at 954-828-5734 or [email protected].

The City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Support Center can also provide information at 954-828-8000 or [email protected].

For people who regularly use Riverland Road, the coming months will mean some adjustments. Lane closures and construction activity are expected to be visible as the improvements take shape. The city is encouraging everyone traveling through the area to remain alert, pay attention to signs and allow additional time when necessary.

If construction remains on schedule, the traffic calming improvements are expected to be completed in spring 2027. Once finished, the raised intersections, raised crosswalks and median refuge island will become permanent features of the Riverland Road corridor, with the goal of reducing speeds and creating a safer environment for the community.