FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott visited Central Florida on Monday to announce the reopening of State Road A1A in Flagler Beach.
When Hurricane Matthew tore through Flagler County, it destroyed parts of the A1A. Businesses were closed and Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill let go several of its employees. They were told it would be 4 to 6 months or more before they could get back to work.
"We were devastated, and they were saying six months to a year, and we were so worried that we were going to have to close down our business after 30 years," owner John Lulgjuraj said.
However, "Open for business" signs are dotting the beachside just four weeks later. The governor visited the area and praised crews for working quickly.
"People are depending on it for their jobs, many people don't have a lot of money sitting in the bank, they need these jobs," Scott said.
FDOT expedited construction for the road but says it was just a temporary fix.
"What we did is (we) moved the road over closer to the sidewalk so that it was away from the damaged area and away from the areas that are sensitive that will take some time to work through," an official said.
But food is back on the table, and workers are back on the restaurant floor ready to serve at Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill, and ready to get Flagler's beachside up and running
A more permanent fix will take several months.