By Stan Karpf, GSAC Board Member
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In our December newsletter, we updated our readers on FPL infrastructure improvements made on Gulf Shore Blvd North in the fall of last year. We informed you at that time that phase 2 of those improvements was to be completed in Q1 2026.
An FPL spokesperson recently informed me that phase 2 of the infrastructure hardening program has been completed.
Phase 2 improvements include upgrading the equipment in 19 Vaults. This included upgrading equipment with the latest technology for throw-over and isolation.
This work was completed ahead of schedule, utilizing FPL Crews from the East Coast.
This brings the total number of vaults on Gulf Shore Blvd North that have been rebuilt to thirty-six.
Phase two Vault rebuilds include:
- Meridian
- Le Rivage
- Park Plaza
- Park Shore Towers
- Surfsedge
- Le Maison
- Regency Towers B
- Harborside
- Harbor Cove
- Westgate South
- Breakers
- Admirably Point phase 2
- Martinique
- Windsor Court
- St Croix
- Bordeaux
- Horizon House
- Holly Green Villas N
- Holly Green Villas S
In addition, FPL has completed cutting in two Switch Cabinets at the Bordeaux and the Madrid Club, which will provide FPL the ability to restore power to a greater number of customers in a shorter period of time. Switch cabinets are a piece of equipment that helps “reroute traffic” for electricity. If there is an outage, it allows FPL to isolate a problem area and then switch to a different feeder source to provide electricity to as many customers as possible. Switch Cabinets do not prevent outages from occurring, but allow FPL to restore service to sections of customers more quickly while they work on repairs.
FPL gives a big thank you to both of these associations for working with them to install these Switch Cabinets on their properties. It will pay dividends in the future.
Lots of progress has been made, and as future improvements are made, we will be sure to keep you informed.
