The Broward County Commission is considering an emergency fix to repair the sidewalks along A1A north of Sunrise Boulevard after Hurricane Sandy and ocean swells caused beach erosion that ultimately sucked portions of the street into the sea.
The commission is looking for approval of $3 million for metal sheet pile installation and sand placement along the damaged areas.
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The measure was introduced by Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry, and she says the county will seek to split the cost with Fort Lauderdale and the Florida Department of Transportation.
On November 23, the Florida Department of Transportation declared an emergency after chunks of the street collapsed and washed into the ocean. Temporary concrete barriers were put in place the next day.
Most of the damage was due to Hurricane Sandy, but a low-pressure system that caused northerly swells also contributed to the street's getting slammed and essentially disintegrating, according the National Weather Service.
Due to high-tide flooding, northbound traffic on A1A has been closed off between Sunrise Boulevard and NE 20th Street, with one southbound lane of A1A open, causing traffic headaches as swells washed over onto the street.
The area has become a place for people to gather to gawk at the damage and shoot photos.
The Broward County Commission will consider the move at its December 11 meeting.
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