Roadway improvements underway at Port Canaveral

Roadway improvements are underway at Florida's Port Canaveral to accommodate increased vehicle traffic as a result of growing port activity, officials said February 15.

The upgrades will include wider roads, improved traffic signals and a new wayfinding system around the port to improve traffic flow and safety around the port's northside cruise terminals and growing cargo operations, officials said. The project is part of a port-wide intermodal road improvement plan to revamp Port Canaveral's roadway infrastructure to support heavy loading equipment and trucks, relieve congestion, improve safety and expand the efficiency and capacity of port roadways.

Together, the Northside Roadway Improvement Project and the port's wayfinding project will cost $16.3 million, funded in part by an $8.25 million grant from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, officials also said.

The announcement comes as states across the country approve funding projects for much-needed infrastructure improvements and upgrades.

"Increased cargo volumes, coupled with our growing cruise business and tourism activity here emphasize the need for our roadways to better handle the growing number of vehicles moving through our port," port CEO Capt. John Murray said in a statement announcing the construction. "Investing in critical infrastructure, like wider roads, improved traffic signals and better signage ensures our port remains safe, efficient and accessible for everyone."

The wayfinding project is slated to be finished by late May 2019, followed by the roadway work completion in July 2019.