Palm Bay, FL - The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is moving forward with plans to widen Ellis Road, a project that will affect many Palm Bay residents who use the route daily to reach Wickham Road, John Rodes Boulevard, or the I‑95 interchange. An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Serenity Venue, 3980 Sarno Road, Suite 103, Melbourne.
Why Palm Bay should care
Ellis Road has become one of the most important east‑west connectors for Palm Bay drivers. Since the I‑95 interchange opened in 2020, traffic congestion has increased sharply. For Palm Bay residents, the widening means:
- Shorter commutes: Expanding from two lanes to four will reduce backups during peak hours.
- Safer travel: New bike lanes, sidewalks, and upgraded signals protect drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
- Better airport access: Ellis Road is the primary route to Melbourne Orlando International Airport from Palm Bay.
- Economic opportunity: Smoother access helps support aerospace and defense employers near the airport, bringing jobs that benefit Palm Bay families.
Meeting and participation options
Palm Bay citizens can get involved in several ways:
- In person: Attend the October 1 open house, view exhibits, and speak with project staff.
- Online webinar: Join live at 5:30 p.m. and submit written questions (register here).
- Project website: Starting October 1, view presentations and exhibits at your convenience and submit comments directly to the project manager (visit project website).
To be part of the official meeting record, comments must be submitted by Monday, October 13, 2025.
What’s included in the project
The Ellis Road project covers about 1.8 miles between John Rodes Boulevard and Wickham Road. Planned improvements:
- Four travel lanes divided by a raised median.
- 7‑foot bike lanes and 6‑foot sidewalks on both sides.
- New and upgraded traffic signals.
- Stormwater ponds and improved drainage systems.
- Street lighting and modern traffic monitoring technology.
FDOT’s proposed Ellis Road widening includes new lanes, bike paths, sidewalks, and safety improvements. Construction letting is scheduled for May 2026.
Timeline and cost
- Clearing work began July 2025.
- Construction letting (the formal process where FDOT advertises the project for contractor bids) scheduled for May 2026.
- Estimated construction cost: $54-56 million.
The project is a joint effort of FDOT, Brevard County, the City of Melbourne, the City of West Melbourne, and the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization.
How Palm Bay can stay involved
This is the time for Palm Bay residents to make their voices heard. Whether it’s concerns about neighborhood impacts, traffic patterns, or safety, community input will shape the final design.
- Official Project Page: cflroads.com/project/426905-4
- Project PDF Handout: View FDOT handout
- Brevard County Info: County project update
Palm Bay’s Voice Matters: Ellis Road directly affects our commutes, safety, and economy. Take part by attending the open house or submitting comments before October 13.