- July 26, 2024
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The Florida Department of Transportation is narrowing the Granada Boulevard travel lanes in Ormond Beach’s downtown district as part of a $9.2 million road safety project.
The project, which started on Tuesday, will repave State Road 40 from U.S. 1 to A1A, not including the bridge. In addition to narrowing lanes to 10 feet, FDOT plans to introduce “subtle alignment shifts” to help encourage slower driving speeds, according to the project description. The state agency will also construct a new directional median opening at Washington Street to help reduce left-turn conflicts.
The beachside will also get a new mid-block pedestrian crossing, to be located between Vining Court and Bovard Avenue. The crossing will be elevated to be level with the sidewalk and will include in-road lighting to alert motorists of when people cross, according to FDOT.
The existing crossings at Washington Street and the one in front of the Grind Gastropub and Ormond Garage, located just west of Beach Street, will be improved as part of the project. FDOT plans to equip all three with an overhead pedestrian hybrid beacon like the recent crosswalk it installed at A1A and Rockefeller Drive.
Finally, FDOT will upgrade intersection lighting and install new mast arm poles at the Ridgewood Avenue and A1A traffic signals. New bicycle lanes will be added next to the turnlanes and the project includes minor drainage improvements and other median modifications.
FDOT held a public meeting for the project in August 2022. It initially aimed to start construction in spring of 2023.
All existing sidewalks and on-street parking will remain.
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting regarding its plans for the I-95 and U.S. 1 interchange at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22.
According to a press release, the project is meant to enhance safety and operations at the interchange and along U.S. 1 between Plantation Oaks Boulevard/ Broadway Avenue and Destination Daytona Lane.
FDOT is pursuing a “diverging diamond” redesign for the 1960s interchange, which was identified as one of 20 projects in the governor’s $4 billion Moving Florida Forward infrastructure initiative last year. In September 2023, FDOT Secretary Jared Purdue announced the project would start construction in the fall of 2027, and that it was estimated to cost $340 million.
The May 22 meeting will be held both in person and virtually. To attend in person, go to The Chapel at 1805 U.S. 1 anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to view a looping presentation and speak with project team members. To attend virtually, register at https://bit.ly/3V0In5R.
Ormond Beach firefighters responded to a mobile home on fire the morning of Friday, May 10, in the 800 block of North Nova Road.
The fire — believed to have been caused by a window air conditioning unit — started in the home’s rear bedroom, though the trailer sustained significant smoke damage, according to the city. The homeowner and his adult son were able to exit the home without injuries. A cat was rescued from the home and taken to a vet, where it was later euthanized. The family’s dog was not located.
The family is being assisted by the American Red Cross, the city stated to the Observer. Local firefighters were assisted by crews from Volusia County Fire Rescue and Holly Hill Fire Rescue.
