BOCA RATON, FL — Boca Raton officials say a planned railroad crossing in northeast Boca Raton is moving forward with help from a $2 million federal funding award secured by Congressman Jared Moskowitz.
The City of Boca Raton welcomed Moskowitz for a ceremonial check presentation recognizing the Congressional Community Project Funding award for the Jeffery Street Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing project. The project is expected to create a new public street crossing across the Florida East Coast Railway corridor, improving east-west access between NW 2nd Avenue and Federal Highway/US-1.
City officials say the project is intended to improve neighborhood connectivity, traffic circulation, and emergency response access in the northern part of the city.
“This is about more than reopening a railroad crossing,” Moskowitz said, according to the city. “The Jeffery Street project means faster routes for our first responders, and it means a community that's no longer cut off from itself.”
As part of the project, the existing NW 28th Street railroad crossing will be closed and replaced by the new Jeffery Street crossing. The city says the work is being coordinated with Florida East Coast Railway, LLC, and the Florida Department of Transportation under a formal agreement.
Planned improvements include roadway extension and widening, a new at-grade railroad crossing, intersection upgrades, signal modifications, sidewalks, drainage, lighting, signage, striping, and related safety improvements.
Mayor Andy Thomson said the project reflects the city’s focus on infrastructure and transportation improvements.
“Improving infrastructure is essential to maintaining the high quality of life our residents expect,” Thomson said. “This project reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in the transportation network that supports a safe, connected, and thriving community.”
According to the city’s project timeline, design-build selection and design work were scheduled from late 2025 through the second quarter of 2026. Permitting and utility coordination are expected in the third quarter of 2026, with design, construction, and crossing activation running from late 2026 through late 2027.
The city lists the estimated construction start as November 2026. Project closeout is expected in 2027.
City officials say the new crossing is expected to help emergency responders by adding another access point across the rail corridor, which could provide more flexibility during routine calls, traffic disruptions, and emergencies. The project is also expected to improve access for residents, visitors, businesses, pedestrians, and cyclists in the surrounding area.
The Jeffery Street crossing is part of Boca Raton’s Capital Improvements Program.
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