B A L L E N I S L E S
T U R N P I K E
P R O J E C T
- Progress On Upcoming Turnpike Project -
MOST RECENT UPDATES
UPDATED December 2020
This turnpike project was recently moved from the FDOT 5-year plan to the 10-year plan. This means, as of now, FDOT will complete phase 2, which is Utility Coordination, in June of 2021. At that point, they will put this project in the drawer until a future date, which they have not yet determined. While the content on this webpage is still relative, the timing and timeline have been pushed back approximately three to five years from the Projected Timeline as shown below.
UPDATED March 29, 2021
Recent discussions with FDOT representatives have confirmed that the project has been pushed back from the 5-year plan to the 10-year plan. This means, in general terms, the project will work through Utility Coordination (see schedule below) through approximately June 2021 and then be put aside for an undetermined future date. That is expected to cause a delay of some three to five years from the original scheduled outlined below. Once this schedule is formally updated by FDOT, we will provide the same updated schedule on this website.
Secondly in our most recent discussions, it is evident that FDOT is making no effort to move away from the current, most disruptive, plans as outlined on this website.
Both the Club and BICA will continue on our path of working toward the most suitable outcome for all involved.
This turnpike project was recently moved from the FDOT 5-year plan to the 10-year plan. This means, as of now, FDOT will complete phase 2, which is Utility Coordination, in June of 2021. At that point, they will put this project in the drawer until a future date, which they have not yet determined. While the content on this webpage is still relative, the timing and timeline have been pushed back approximately three to five years from the Projected Timeline as shown below.
UPDATED March 29, 2021
Recent discussions with FDOT representatives have confirmed that the project has been pushed back from the 5-year plan to the 10-year plan. This means, in general terms, the project will work through Utility Coordination (see schedule below) through approximately June 2021 and then be put aside for an undetermined future date. That is expected to cause a delay of some three to five years from the original scheduled outlined below. Once this schedule is formally updated by FDOT, we will provide the same updated schedule on this website.
Secondly in our most recent discussions, it is evident that FDOT is making no effort to move away from the current, most disruptive, plans as outlined on this website.
Both the Club and BICA will continue on our path of working toward the most suitable outcome for all involved.
PROJECT SUMMATION
FDOT is currently planning multiple upgrades to the Turnpike, of which two key projects are immediately adjacent to BallenIsles Country Club. They are:
- Widening of the Turnpike to eight lanes
- Improving the off-ramp system to PGA Boulevard
WIDENING
The project will have little impact to BallenIsles other than possible increased noise with assumed increased traffic. The widening to eight lanes will be moved to the west, toward the PGA National community, as shown below:
PGA SLIP RAMP
The PGA slip ramp will have a significant impact to BallenIsles, depending upon the final plan decided upon. FDOT is currently pursuing two plan options, after reviewing several options over many years. Those two options are outlined in the FDOT presentation found on the “Presentations” page.
With that said, we believe the FDOT is focused seriously on one option, which is to add a slip ramp traveling northbound that exits the Turnpike and enters BallenIsles property at about the fairway bunkers of the 4th hole of our North course. It then continues generally parallel with the cart path on the right of hole 4, past the tee boxes and then widens to three lanes at the gate entrance to the Northwest Parcel (NWP). Along hole 4, the off-ramp is approximately eight feet in total height from the current ground elevation and rises to about 15 feet high at the gates behind the 4th tee. From that gate, it then rises from approximately 15 feet to 28 feet as it intersects the existing maintenance building at about midpoint and meets to a signaled right-hand turn onto PGA.
With that said, we believe the FDOT is focused seriously on one option, which is to add a slip ramp traveling northbound that exits the Turnpike and enters BallenIsles property at about the fairway bunkers of the 4th hole of our North course. It then continues generally parallel with the cart path on the right of hole 4, past the tee boxes and then widens to three lanes at the gate entrance to the Northwest Parcel (NWP). Along hole 4, the off-ramp is approximately eight feet in total height from the current ground elevation and rises to about 15 feet high at the gates behind the 4th tee. From that gate, it then rises from approximately 15 feet to 28 feet as it intersects the existing maintenance building at about midpoint and meets to a signaled right-hand turn onto PGA.
The current planning:
- Disrupts the golf course to the point of requiring a redesign of all or portions of holes 3 through 6.
- Disrupts the current break and buffer from the existing Turnpike, which is 116’ from the shoulder and 150’ from the centerline of the Turnpike.
- Brings the slip ramp from the 116 foot buffer we enjoy today to less than 7’ – before improvements we need to design.
- Creates an unsafe condition for both golfers and travelers.
- May possibly condemn the Northwest Parcel as access to the property could be blocked in the current plan. FDOT is working with the Club on a resolution to this concern. This property is used jointly by the Club and BICA (mainly by BICA).
- Negatively impacts sound levels to the golf course and adjoining residences – before improvements we need to design.
- Negatively impacts view lines from the golf course and adjoining residences – before improvements we need to design. See concept images below and on the ”Photography” page.
- Causes additional negative view lines from the addition of lights and signage above the 8’ to 28’ top of wall rise of the slip ramp.
- Creates enhanced negative traffic conditions at PGA and onto the entrance of our property.
We cannot consider, nor list, any positive impacts created by the addition of this slip ramp plan. Having said that, BallenIsles is progressive in our thinking and understands the need to consider future growth along the PGA corridor and increasing volumes of traffic. We support improvement, but one that isn’t so impactful in our community that we have enjoyed for more than 50 years. We feel there is a reasonable alternative to be found, utilizing the 55+ acres of land currently controlled by the Turnpike to create a safe and less disruptive off-ramp feeding into PGA Boulevard.
That is the basis of our position. Not only to protect our slice of heaven, but to contribute to a better outcome for the entire PGA corridor.
That is the basis of our position. Not only to protect our slice of heaven, but to contribute to a better outcome for the entire PGA corridor.
Projected Timeline
UPDATED as of December 2020 - add an estimated three to five years to the dates listed below
Other BallenIsles Projects
Click the image below to see the various projects at BallenIsles
BallenIsles Country Club
100 BallenIsles Circle
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Phone: 561.622.0220
ballenisles.org
100 BallenIsles Circle
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Phone: 561.622.0220
ballenisles.org