You can expect construction work along a stretch of Sunrise Boulevard near Fort Lauderdale’s Galleria mall for the next year.

A roadwork project by the Florida Department of Transportation soon will start along a nearly mile-long stretch of Sunrise. It’ll mean temporary lane closures for drivers during overnight hours, as well as a potential change to the drawbridge schedule for boaters on the Intracoastal Waterway.

The work, which starts the first week of June, isn’t expected to wrap up until early 2028, according to the project’s community outreach specialist Rebecca Guerrero. But many improvements are envisioned once all the construction work is done.

“The purpose of this project is that it aims to enhance the safety, resiliency, and longevity of the infrastructure for our communities,” Guerrero said.

The project area along Sunrise, about 0.8 miles, spans from west of Middle River Drive, a road that’s just west of the Galleria mall, to North Birch Road, which is east of the mall and east of the Intracoastal near the beach.

Roadway upgrades will include resurfacing, improved signaling systems and signage, several pedestrian and bike safety enhancements, and rehabilitation of the bridge stretching over the Intracoastal Waterway.

At a recent meeting, project officials said drivers will see some shifts in lane availability, including the temporary closures of the roadway’s eastbound and westbound bridge paths.

The details

Plans for Sunrise Boulevard include the milling and resurfacing of the roadway, which aims to create a smoother surface for travelers. New signaling systems include the installation of signalization mast arms and upgraded vehicle detection technology at two intersections. Upgraded signage and pavement markings also aim to improve visibility.

Pedestrian safety is a major objective of the improvement project, Guerrero said. Pedestrian signals will see improvements in three locations, while sidewalk repairs and upgrades to curb ramps will help further accommodate people with disabilities.

A new pedestrian crossing zone will be constructed near the Galleria mall, improving access for those walking to businesses, transportation stops, and nearby residential areas, according to Guerrero.

“This area experiences a high amount of pedestrian activity throughout the day, with people walking between shops, restaurants, businesses, transit stops, and surrounding neighborhoods,” Guerrero said.

On the roadway, bicycle lanes will be widened from 4 to 6 feet on both sides. Though the three existing travel lanes in each direction will remain, the outside and center travel lanes will be narrowed by a foot each to accommodate the bike buffer zones.

Affecting your commute

Drivers will see lane closures during the construction period, though accessibility will vary depending on construction activity. FDOT will allow lane closures along Sunrise Boulevard “as needed” from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays, Guerrero said.

The Intracoastal Waterway bridge along the road will see several upgrades, including the replacement of its existing deck with a solid aluminum one, paintwork on the structural steel, upgrades to wiring and electrical components, and the replacement of the existing fender system.

The eastbound and westbound stretches of the bridge will each experience lane closures during their respective deck replacement operations.

Traffic will be shifted to the other side of the bridge away from construction activity, where there will be further reductions from three to two lanes in each direction.

“These temporary lane shifts are designed to minimize impacts to the traveling public while allowing critical bridge rehabilitation work to progress,” Guerrero said. “The project team will ensure advanced notice is provided to the community prior to these being implemented.”

Pedestrians will be able to walk on the side of the bridge that is opposite construction activity.

Ships and other vessels that cross under the bridge will also see temporary traffic changes. During bridge fender reconstruction, half of the channel will be closed, and there may be changes to the drawbridge schedule.

The Florida Department of Transportation has contracted the GLF Construction Co. for the project, which will cost a total of $43.2 million.