- March 26, 2026
A $5.1 million road project to increase capacity and safety on Hand Avenue in Ormond Beach is now underway.
The project spans the section between Clyde Morris Boulevard to Nova Road, which will be widened to four lanes on the eastern end of the project, as its current two-lane configuration isn't adequate for the current traffic, according to county engineering staff. The western side, which currently has five lanes, will be reduced to four lanes, with dedicated turn lanes to improve safety.
"A five-lane road offers a lot of freedom for drivers who want to turn into driveways or side streets, but can result in a higher number of incidents," an email to the Observer states. "Converting the five-lane section to a four-lane divided section with turn lanes at specific driveways or side roads will decrease the number of potential conflict points where incidents can occur."
The project will also have a sidewalk and a median through this section of Hand Avenue. While there will be turn lanes to access side roads and businesses, not every access point will be immediately accessible, county staff stated. One example is the 7-Eleven on the corner of Nova Road and Hand Avenue.
"That driveway is too close to the intersection to make the turn safely onto it," county staff's email stated.
The construction cost accounts for the bulk of the project cost — $4.048 million dollars, which is being funded through impact fees. The design amounted to $709,465, which also funded via impact fees, and the cost of construction engineering and inspections was $390,585. This was funded through proportionate fair share dollars.
The county expects the project to be complete by February 2027.
Additionally, the county continues its work on the widening of Williamson Boulevard from Strickland Range Road to Hand Avenue. This project is expected to be complete in October 2026.
