PALM BAY, Fla. — The city of Palm Bay is looking to partner with the Florida Department of Transportation to look at the possibility of widening a portion of busy Malabar Road.

Tremendous growth and increase in traffic in the area are key reasons for the proposed change. Tens of thousands of cars and trucks come through each day, plus, a steady flow of construction equipment.

Once a rural setting, the intersection of St. John’s Heritage Parkway and Malabar Road is now bustling with traffic.

Much of it is homeowners in St. John’s Preserve where 800 homes are being built.

Raul del Hierro is a sales associate for Adams Homes.

“We just started Phase 4, which is the last phase of the community,” he said.

He says one of the first things he tells prospective buyers is the potential plan to widen Malabar Road.

“The total area is growing and booming and that’s why they want to put in extra lanes,” he said.

The Palm Bay City Council is working on a design agreement with FDOT to widen a 4-mile stretch of Malabar Road from Minton Road to St. John’s Heritage Parkway.

The project is estimated to cost $150 million and would turn the stretch into a four-lane roadway.

The city is refining the plan to get right-of-way areas firmed up and make sure retention ponds would be put in the proper areas for drainage.

Officials said the goal of widening Malabar Road is to reduce crashes, improve commute times and improve safety.

A recent study included bicycle and pedestrian improvements along the corridor.

Widening the road is still in the design phase but ranks as the No. 1 priority project by the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization.

Palm Bay City Council is voting to authorize the mayor and city manager to enter the agreement with FDOT at Thursday night’s meeting.