- February 6, 2025
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With a study underway for the extensive St. Johns River to Sea Loop Trail project, Port Orange city officials have started discussing the potential of a segment of the path connecting in Port Orange.
Last week, city staff spoke with representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation about including a segment of the St. Johns River to Sea Loop Trail within the Halifax Drive right-of-way, north of Commonwealth Boulevard. The portion running through Port Orange would be approximately four miles. This could change depending on input from residents and local agencies.
FDOT indicated they would evaluate this location as part of the Project Development and Environment Study, which began in June 2017, according to Port Orange Public Information Officer Christine Martindale.
The study was set up to evaluate alternatives to improve bicycle and pedestrian routes within the New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and South Daytona area.
Construction on the 260-miles loop is expected to be completed by 2025. Currently, no portions of the Loop reach into Port Orange.
The Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail program will provide funding for the SJR2C Loop through the State Transportation Trust Fund. The trail will be maintained with by the county, cities or both. No new roadways are included as part of this study, according to Steve Olson, communications manager for the Florida Department of Transportation, District 5.
"Input from Port Orange, other City officials involved, the County, as well as other local agencies and the public is very important in the design of the trail and is encouraged," Olson wrote in a email. "All reasonable suggestions are given consideration."
The study is anticipated to be completed by June 2019 and will require engineering analysis and environmental clearances required by the state prior to approval and moving forward to the design phase.
Once the PD&E Study is approved, the project will move forward to the design phase, which could begin in 2019. According to Olson, there is no groundbreaking date set for the Volusia section as funding for construction will need to be identified.
Kick-off meetings on Jan. 10 and 11 were held to get public responses regarding the trail. A Public Alternatives Workshop will be held later this year to serve as a second opportunity to receive input on the refined alignment that will be presented.
Citizen response
Daytona Beach Shores resident Liza Pura said the trail would be something she would use as a recreational bike rider. She noted that if the trail did not go into the Shores she would likely cross the Dunlawton Bridge into Port Orange to bike the path.
"It could be helpful to bicyclists," Pura said. "Maybe, little by little, we can open people's eyes to other modes of transportation."
However, some residents feel the money put toward the trail could be better spent with flood mitigation. Steve Sweeney, who lives in South Daytona said during Hurricane Matthew his house was 19 inches underwater then 29 inches underwater during Irma.
"If they have money for this stuff, they need to fix this street," Sweeney said. "I'm not real happy about something like this."
