Public meeting on Key Largo road elevation and stormwater resilience

Monroe County and consultant HDR Engineering, Inc. will present details of the Winston Waterways Road Elevation & Stormwater Resiliency Design Project at a public information meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Murray Nelson Government Center Commission Chambers. Residents may attend in person or join via Zoom to hear the design team and county staff explain the project's scope and answer questions.

The ongoing design work centers on raising roadway elevations and installing an engineered stormwater management system. Plans include a collection system to capture runoff, water quality treatment components, a pump station, and a disposal system. County staff will also discuss easement requirements, approaches to harmonizing work with adjacent properties, and project funding options, including how future operations and maintenance assessments could affect property owners.

The project area covers a swath of Key Largo neighborhoods: Blue Heron Lane, Egret Lane, Spoonbill Lane, Cardinal Lane, 2nd through 8th Lane, Gale Place, and portions of Valencia Road, Mahogany Drive, La Paloma Road, Tamarind Road, and Michelle Drive. Designers say the work aims to reduce flooding and improve drainage along these streets by combining road elevation with active stormwater infrastructure rather than relying solely on higher pavement.

For residents, the meeting is both informational and practical. Design details will matter for immediate concerns such as construction access, timing, and impacts on driveways and landscaping, and for longer term questions about property rights where easements are needed. Funding discussions will clarify whether future assessments for operations and maintenance could be levied against properties in the project area, a financial consideration for affected homeowners and businesses.

The project fits into a broader context familiar to Keys residents: managing higher tides and heavy rain events has become a routine part of local planning. Engineered stormwater systems and elevated roads are common adaptation tools in coastal communities worldwide, but they require careful coordination with property owners, clear legal agreements for easements, and transparent funding plans to succeed locally.

County staff and HDR Engineering representatives will be on hand at the meeting to explain technical details and next steps. Bring questions about construction staging, access during work, and how easements would be negotiated if they affect your property. The meeting is the primary opportunity to hear the design directly and to register concerns before final design decisions are made.

Our two cents? Attend or log on, get the specifics on easements and potential assessments, and keep a record of the answers you receive so you can weigh short-term disruption against long-term resilience for your street and your neighborhood.