FDOT picks 'diverging diamond' design for $215 million, I-95, U.S. 1 interchange overhaul

Mark Harper, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read
Plans for a $215 million overhaul of the Interstate 95 interchange at U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach will be presented at a public hearing starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023, at The Chapel, 1805 U.S. 1, Ormond Beach.
Plans for a $215 million overhaul of the Interstate 95 interchange at U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach will be presented at a public hearing starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023, at The Chapel, 1805 U.S. 1, Ormond Beach.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

New details are emerging on the Florida Department of Transportation's plans to overhaul a decades-old, increasingly dangerous interchange at Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach.

After taking public comment last June, the Florida Department of Transportation has determined a diverging-diamond design will work best. The design involves temporarily shifting both directions of traffic on an interstate crossroad to the opposite side of the road

The design is considered safer and limits the number of traffic signal phases, while also allowing motorists to make left-hand turns without crossing in front of oncoming traffic.

The project, estimated to cost $215 million, is listed as being partially funded for right-of-way purchases in 2027, with construction − an estimated $169 million − unfunded. However, the interchange was listed in Gov. Ron DeSantis' $4 billion "Moving Florida Forward" recommendation to lawmakers for the budget now under consideration.

DeSantis said if that plan is approved, the listed projects could be funded years ahead of schedule.

FDOT held an online public hearing Wednesday and will host an in-person hearing starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at The Chapel, 1805 U.S. 1, Ormond Beach.

Gaining Support: Gov. Ron DeSantis' transportation proposal includes I-95 interchange at U.S. 1 in Ormond

Dangerous Interchange: Pedestrian killed on U.S 1 near Ormond Beach

'New Gateway': More growth: Slowly, North U.S. 1 becoming Ormond Beach's new gateway to I-95

A video presentation posted by FDOT provided three rationales for the interchange's update:

  • Accommodate existing and future demand.

  • Improve safety.

  • Enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.

The loop ramps are considered "substandard," according to FDOT, while the vertical clearance of U.S. 1 over I-95 is also below standards.

State transportation officials detailed a high number of crashes both on U.S. 1 and I-95 at the interchange, while plans on the books suggest congestion will increase significantly in coming decades.

This heat map shows areas along U.S. 1 and Interstate 95 in Ormond Beach where a large number of crashes occurred between 2015 and 2019. The Florida Department of Transportation included this as a slide in a presentation seeking public input on plans to redesign the interchange.
This heat map shows areas along U.S. 1 and Interstate 95 in Ormond Beach where a large number of crashes occurred between 2015 and 2019. The Florida Department of Transportation included this as a slide in a presentation seeking public input on plans to redesign the interchange.

A traffic analysis shows I-95 south of U.S. 1 carried an an average annual daily traffic count of 77,800 in 2021, with a 2050 projected increase of 47% to 114,000. Traffic is also expected to more than double over that same span on U.S. 1 just west of I-95.

Thousands of residential units plus office and industrial spaces are planned for the future Ormond Crossings, which will straddle both sides of I-95 south of U.S. 1. Also, another 1,500 residential units are planned for the existing Plantation Oaks development.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: FDOT hosts public hearing on Ormond Beach interchange at I-95, U.S. 1