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Ellis Road
Project Summary
Ellis Road in West Melbourne is experiencing increased congestion as a major east-west thoroughfare, particularly after the completion of a new $39 million interchange with I-95 in 2020.
In response to this issue, Hanson provided roadway and drainage design services to widen Ellis Road from a two-lane rural section to a four-lane urban section spanning 1.7 miles. This project is intended to improve traffic flow and safety, considering the road's importance as a critical connection between I-95 and the Melbourne Orlando International Airport. The roadway is also part of the state’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), a high-priority network of transportation facilities that significantly impacts the state's economy and mobility. Ellis Road's designation within the SIS as a Strategic Growth Highway Connector highlights the importance of this project.
The design for widening is based on recommendations from a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study commissioned by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The FDOT Local Agency Program-funded project includes a standard section featuring a divided four-lane urban roadway with curb and gutter, bike lanes, sidewalks, roadway lighting and utility strips in both directions. This project has been identified as a top priority by FDOT's District Five and the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization, underscoring its significance.
Before proceeding with the widening project, Hanson performed a thorough drainage analysis and re-evaluated the PD&E Study for the L-15 Canal, which runs parallel to Ellis Road. The objective was to propose alternatives to minimize right-of-way acquisition costs. Relocating the canal would have adverse effects on nearby properties, so Hanson developed models and alternative plans to enclose the canal, effectively reducing these impacts. In the proposed conditions model, the canal would be enclosed within a dual, 48-inch pipe trunk line, and two regional ponds would be constructed nearby. This alternative was deemed suitable and incorporated into the final design, resulting in more than $10 million in right-of-way cost savings and a 40-foot reduction in the proposed typical section width. These measures successfully mitigated the impact on existing properties and businesses.
Hanson also designed the relocation of a sanitary lift station situated within the existing southern right-of-way, potentially affecting the roadway improvements. Through a Joint Participation Agreement with the City of West Melbourne, Hanson designed a new lift station that meets the City's latest utility standards and will be constructed outside the right-of-way.
The final design and construction documents were completed in 2022; right-of-way acquisition began that same year and is expected to continue through late 2024. Under a separate contract, Hanson is preparing plans and specifications for land-clearing and grubbing work to facilitate utility relocation before the full widening project begins. Proactively moving utilities beforehand will compress the overall construction timeframe.
Construction is currently unfunded with significant efforts underway to secure funding.