- April 18, 2024
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Anyone traveling on Dunlawton Avenue and Taylor Road this week and the next should be aware of upcoming closures on and around the I-95 ramp.
According to the city, on Sunday, July 16, the on-ramp to I-95 northbound from Dunlawton and Taylor will be closed from 12 p.m. to 6 a.m. to complete paving as well as the installation of a storm water pipe. The southbound ramp will remain open that day.
The city is advising motorists needing to get on I-95 north to take Williamson Boulevard or Clyde Morris Boulevard north to Beville Road, where they can access I-95.
On Tuesday, July 18, the westbound traffic lanes on Dunlawton Avenue and Taylor Road underneath the I-95 interchange will be closed from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in order to remove the remaining bridge columns and caps.
Last month, the Florida Department of Transportation had closed down a portion of Dunlawton Avenue to complete demolition of the old Port Orange Bridge, which had previously spanned the intersection where Dunlawton and Taylor Road meet.
The new bridge project was put in place to increase interstate capacity from two lanes to three in each direction from State Road 44 to north of U.S. 92, according to FDOT Communications Specialist Jen Horton.
The July 18 closure will not affect the eastbound lanes of Dunlawton Avenue and Taylor Road.
These projects are only a part of what is happening to Port Orange roadways, as city officials have already been looking at ways to improve the area along Dunlawton and Taylor. Port Orange City Manger Jake Johansson previously told the Port Orange Observer that these improvements include additional turn lanes and street extensions.
“When I got here two years ago one of the major issues was traffic on Dunlawton,” Johansson said. “It was very congested.”
Johansson had explained that two other issues include motorists getting stuck with double signal lights and a nonexistent turnaround point on Taylor Branch Road. Johansson said the light timing was adjusted about a month ago but the city is waiting for school to be back in session to determine how well it’s really helping with traffic. As for the turnaround point, a U-turn was arranged to be put in so that motorists could get back on I-95 more quickly.
What’s next? Right turn lanes and left extension lanes to avoid traffic from cars turning both ways, according to officials. Johansson said they had been looking at putting in a right turn lane at the Nova Road and Dunlawton intersection.
Adding the lanes means drivers won’t have to wait for people turning, which is expected to move traffic along. City officials are projecting a completion date for these changes within the next three to five years.
For questions, contact Paul Wabi, FDOT construction engineer, by email at [email protected]. Residents can also call 386-212-0449 or email [email protected].
