Fort Lauderdale moves to close SE 17th Avenue in response to neighborhood safety concerns

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – The City of Fort Lauderdale is moving forward with plans to block SE 17th Avenue at Las Olas Boulevard in order to make traffic safer. The decision comes after residents raised concerns about visibility issues at the intersection.

At the City Commission meeting on June 17, 2025, the proposal got the go-ahead, and the commissioners told staff to move forward with the closure. The Colee Hammock Home Owners Association is backing the project. They have been pushing for modifications to make the neighborhood safer.

To start, the city will use temporary materials to block off the roadway, giving officials time to assess whether the closure should become permanent. Depending on how much money is available and how well the first phase goes, a long-term solution may be possible in the future.

Traffic studies show that SE 17th Avenue has relatively low vehicle counts, suggesting that the closure will have little impact on overall neighborhood traffic flow. City workers stressed that the goal is to make the city safer while causing as little trouble as possible for residents and commuters.

Construction is scheduled to begin the week of August 18, 2025. Work is scheduled on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., although the schedule may change if the weather or additional issues come up.

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As the project proceeds forward, city officials are encouraging the community to be patient and work together. Residents who want more information or have questions regarding the closure should contact MacKendy Philippi, Project Manager II of the Department of Transportation and Mobility at 954-828-3707 or [email protected].