Landscaped medians and perimeter landscaping elevated corridor aesthetics, boosting image to improve the tax base and tourism sales –it’s an investment driver

State Road 520—the Merritt Island Causeway–is the primary west/east major arterial road, extending from Cocoa on the mainland through Merritt Island to Cocoa Beach. The SR 520 Commercial Core Sub-Area extends the entire length of SR 520 from the Indian River Lagoon on the west and to the Banana River on the east, north to approximately Merritt Avenue and south to approximately Fortenberry Road.

The $2.1 Million 520 Corridor Beautification Project helped achieve a positive aesthetic image within the commercial core of Merritt Island. Significant portions of the SR 520 right-of-way now exhibit an elevated aesthetic, with both landscaped medians and perimeter landscaping and irrigation which has been further enhanced by private property owners, who have landscaped the frontages of their properties.

In addition, MIRA provided funding for SR 520 Intersection image enhancements, such as powder coated mast arms, faux brick crosswalks, a powder coated, tri chord, 30 traffic signal truss, with a 260’ span at the intersection of Sykes Creek Pkwy and SR 520.

The 520 Corridor Beautification project, under the guidance of the Florida Department of Transportation, involved vehicular and pedestrian safety and major landscaping and paver infrastructure and including masthead repair and replacement.