Public Input Welcomed at June 11 Open House on Brevard Transportation Projects
Written by Charlotte Van Heden/Editor, Lulia Lupse
Photo credit Jason Collins
Palm Bay, Fla. — Brevard County residents will have a chance to shape the future of local infrastructure at the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization’s (SCTPO) annual open house on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the Center for Collaboration in Rockledge. The event runs from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., with a presentation at 5:45 p.m. followed by interactive transportation learning stations. Admission is free, but online registration is required.
Themed “Investing in Tomorrow’s Transportation, Together,” the open house offers insight into how transportation planning decisions are made across the county and provides opportunities for residents to weigh in on the 2026–2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the 2026 List of Project Priorities. The event will be livestreamed on SCTPO’s YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person, and public comments submitted in advance will be read aloud during the program.
What to Expect — and What Not to
Although the St. Johns Heritage Parkway Widening Project has been a topic of growing interest among Palm Bay residents, the project will not be a primary focus of the open house. According to the SCTPO Public Information & Outreach Manager, the event is not specific to that roadway, though it will be mentioned briefly during the “Top 10 Projects in Orbit” presentation, which highlights major regional initiatives.
The widening of the parkway from Malabar Road to north of Emerson Drive is a City of Palm Bay-led project, not overseen by SCTPO. It aims to expand a three-mile stretch of the road from two to four lanes, helping relieve traffic congestion caused by rapid residential growth in areas like St. John’s Preserve and Cypress Bay. Construction began in December 2024, and while funding is still being secured, the design phase, estimated at $3.2 million, is expected to conclude by summer 2026.
More details about this local project can be found on the city’s website:
🔗 City of Palm Bay Public Works Projects
Regional Priority: Malabar Road Widening
The SCTPO open house will also include updates on the Malabar Road Widening Project, which spans from Minton Road to just west of St. Johns Heritage Parkway. This is a regional priority identified in SCTPO’s 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan and is jointly managed by the City of Palm Bay, Brevard County, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Project status:
- Environmental (PD&E) phase complete
- Design phase awarded
- Right-of-way and utility relocation remain unfunded ($2.4 million and $9.7 million estimated)
- Construction is also unfunded, with costs projected at over $100 million
The expansion aims to address safety issues and reduce congestion in a corridor that experienced 642 crashes from 2016 to 2020, including 202 injury-related accidents. It also supports better access to the St. Johns Heritage Parkway and prepares for long-term growth.
Community Input Matters
Residents attending the open house will have the opportunity to explore current transportation priorities and learn how their feedback can help shape future funding and design decisions. SCTPO officials stress that public engagement plays a key role in determining which projects move forward.
📅 Register for the open house: Click here
📺 Watch the livestream: SCTPO YouTube Channel
