On December 15, 2025, an interagency coordination meeting between the Florida Department of Transportation Turnpike expansion design team and South Indian River Water Control District raised stormwater concerns.

The Florida Turnpike Authority planning staff presented preliminary stormwater conveyance concepts for the proposed addition of two lanes on the west side of the existing Turnpike. The proposed additional lanes would shift the Turnpike closer to the Palm Beach Country Estates community, and based on preliminary plans, would convert the existing open canal along the west side of the Turnpike into an underground conveyance system utilizing large culverts.

The Board of Supervisors expressed significant concerns regarding the project at the District’s January and February meetings and directed administration and staff to carefully monitor the situation and ensure the District was involved in every step of the project design.

The Executive Director contacted the South Florida Water Management District requesting a coordination meeting regarding the Turnpike Authority’s stormwater approach. The preliminary plans are under review by their engineer, as well as South Indian River Water Control District’s Engineer.

In response to a January 28, 2026, letter from the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, South Indian River Water Control District sent a letter on February 5, 2026, clarifying the need for the Florida Turnpike Enterprise to apply for a District Permit and a requirement that the Florida Turnpike Enterprise take responsibility for cross-drain pipe maintenance, as well as some action items, in order to move forward. 

At the March 2026 Board meeting, Supervisor of Operations Dustin Fazio provided an update on the Florida Turnpike Expansion regarding the latest correspondence with the Turnpike Authority. He said the District reiterated that they must get a permit for the expansion work to ensure it does not negatively impact the ability to discharge stormwater and negatively affect Palm Beach Country Estates, Egret Landing, and the Jupiter Park of Commerce. The District received an email reply from the Florida Turnpike Enterprise on March 2, 2026, and dismissed the District’s requirement for the Florida Turnpike Enterprise to obtain a permit from the District. Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Brandon, and Mr. Behn are working on an email response.

The Board of Supervisors, Executive Director Kennedy and the District Engineer are all in agreement that the South Indian River Water Control District holds the South Florida Water Management District permit and ultimately the Turnpike Authority would need to discharge through our permit.