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Dear Andros Isle Community Residents,
You are cordially invited to attend the Andros Isle POA meeting on January 8 at 6:00 PM. I will be joining you, along with representatives from Palm Beach County's Traffic Division and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to discuss an important matter affecting our community.
As you may have noticed, FDOT installed a Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) for the left turn signal on Okeechobee Boulevard at Andros Isle Boulevard on May 8th.
Understanding the Flashing Yellow Arrow:
The FYA replaces the traditional solid green light for left turns and operates in two modes:
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"Permissive Only" – a flashing yellow arrow where drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning left; or,
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"Protected/Permissive" – first a green arrow (protected turn when oncoming traffic stops), followed by a flashing yellow arrow (permissive turn where drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians).
At Andros Isle Boulevard, the FYA is programmed to be skipped during peak hours, preventing left turns across heavy traffic. When the flashing yellow arrow is displayed, drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Since its installation, our office has received numerous complaints from residents expressing concerns about the traffic signal change. Most recently, we have heard about an alleged fatal crash at this intersection, which prompted many residents from the Andros Isle community to contact our office with their safety concerns.
Learning from the Baywinds Experience:
Your neighbors at Baywinds, just down Okeechobee Boulevard, recently went through this same situation. After FDOT installed a similar FYA at their intersection in May, residents began contacting our office with mixed reactions—some appreciated the additional turning option, while others were confused or concerned about it. In early November, the Baywinds HOA president shared video of a serious crash that occurred after a driver attempted to make a left turn on a flashing yellow arrow, failing to accurately judge the speed of the westbound vehicle.
On December 1st, I met with Baywinds residents, along with the county engineer and FDOT representatives. Following that meeting, the Baywinds Board of Directors passed a resolution requesting the FYA be removed. Based on this community input, the county engineer advised FDOT to remove it, which they did.
All of this underscores the need for community engagement: it's important to get with people before making changes, and listen when they speak up. FDOT never sought public input before implementing the FYA change, but we do want to hear from you.
This meeting is your opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences:
- Do you support the FYA as it is currently operating?
- Would you like to see changes made to improve safety and traffic flow?
- Should the FYA be removed altogether and returned to the previous configuration?
Your input is vital as we work with FDOT and county traffic officials to ensure the safety and convenience of our community. Please join us for this important discussion.
I hope to see you there.
If you have questions, call my office at (561) 355-2202 or email us at: district2@pbc.gov.
Gregg K. Weiss
Palm Beach County Commissioner for District 2
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