South Ocean Boulevard Is Closed in Palm Beach for the Expected Trump Halloween Visit, With Bridge Schedules Adjusted
The coastal road beside Mar-a-Lago shut to through-traffic at 5 a.m. Friday between the Southern Boulevard traffic circle and South County Road and stays closed until further notice, Palm Beach Town Hall announced — the third weekend in a row for the closure.
South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach is closed to through-traffic between the Southern Boulevard traffic circle and South County Road, starting at 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, and remaining closed until further notice, according to an Oct. 28 announcement from Palm Beach Town Hall reported by the Palm Beach Daily News. The closure, beside President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, precedes an expected Halloween-weekend visit — his third visit to Palm Beach this season, after most recently visiting Oct. 23-24 — and a set of temporary presidential-level flight restrictions was expected for Oct. 30 through Nov. 1, the Daily News reported, citing a Federal Aviation Administration notice.
The security zone runs north from the club property for seven blocks, about half a mile, and it effectively divides the town in two, forcing drivers to detour on and off the island. People who live, work or are visiting homes inside the zone may enter and exit only through the north security checkpoint at South County Road after providing identification, officials have said.
Drawbridge schedules are adjusted while the zone is in force. On Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays, the Flagler Memorial and Southern Boulevard bridges open on the quarter- and three-quarter hour, and the Royal Park Bridge opens on the hour and half-hour, the Daily News reported, citing the U.S. Coast Guard. The Southern Boulevard Bridge may also close without notice to let motorcades pass uninterrupted.
