Margate Washington Avenue Redesign: $3.5M Infrastructure Update

Margate City is advancing a major $3.5 million infrastructure redesign of Washington Avenue to transform the corridor into a unified one-way street extending from Atlantic Avenue down to Amherst Avenue. The comprehensive capital project is backed by over $1.6 million in state grant funding, with the remaining balance financed through municipal capital improvement funds.

Municipal traffic evaluations confirmed that bayward vehicle volume on Washington Avenue is double beachward volume, leading engineering officials to align the street's design with natural traffic patterns.

Key Infrastructure and Aesthetic Upgrades

The redesign incorporates significant pedestrian, bicycle, and utility enhancements:

A dedicated green-painted bike lane on the north side connecting existing bike corridors on Atlantic and Amherst Avenues
Brick paver sidewalks and updated curbing throughout the corridor
Landscaped intersection bump-outs designed to reduce pedestrian crossing distances from 38 feet to 24 feet
Installation of 44 decorative light fixtures matching Ventnor Avenue standards
Planting of 47 new trees while maintaining existing on-street parking capacity

Contractors are replacing underground water, sewer, and stormwater utility lines beneath Washington Avenue prior to final paving. Construction is structured in seasonal phases to prevent traffic disruption during peak summer months.

Why It Matters

"On the barrier islands, location drives everything. The right street can make all the difference," said Mike Sutley, Team Leader at Lexy Realty Group.

Corridor overhauls like Washington Avenue enhance neighborhood walkability, improve stormwater drainage, and elevate streetscape aesthetics. For homeowners along or near Washington Avenue, these capital improvements strengthen long-term property appeal and surrounding neighborhood connectivity.