- November 25, 2024
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Ormond Beach now has a safer way to cross A1A at Rockefeller Drive.
On Feb. 7, the Florida Department of Transportation opened a new mid-block crosswalk, equiped with a pedestrian hybrid beacon, at Rockefeller Drive and A1A. The installation of the pedestrian hybrid beacon is part of a $4 million FDOT project to implement safety improvements along A1A, from Milsap Road to Granada Boulevard, according to a press release.
“With an average of 18,600 motorists traveling down this corridor daily, the installation of the pedestrian hybrid beacon represents a significant step toward safeguarding the Ormond Beach community,” FDOT stated in its press release.
How does it work?
A pedestrian hybrid beacon is an overhead traffic device that remains inactive until a pedestrian pushes a button on the signal pole, according to FDOT. Then, drivers are warned to slow down by a flashing yellow light, which then turns solid, and then red, indicating motorists to stop and allow pedestrians to cross. Once the pedestrian hybrid beacon begins to flash red, motorists may continue driving if all pedestrians have crossed.
Seven other mid-block crossings will be installed by FDOT. These will be equipped with rectangular rapid flashing beacons, like the one in place in the downtown district, near The Grind Gastropub and Ormond Garage.
The rectangular rapid flashing beacons will be installed at:
Each of the rectangular rapid flashing beacons, FDOT stated, will include signange and flashing yellow LED lights.
The crossings near Milsap Road and Bosarvey Drive will be slightly elevated to increase visibility of pedestrians while encouraging drivers to reduce their speed.
FDOT expects to open all of the remaining crosswalks by the end of February.
The speed limit along this corridor has also been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
The Florida Department of Transportation will construct a two-way directional median opening at the intersection of West Granada Boulevard and Water Oak Lane.
This modification — aimed at improving safety for motorists — will replace the current full median opening, according to an FDOT notice posted on the city website. The new opening will continue to allow right turns onto West Granada Boulevard and left turns from West Granada Boulevard onto Water Oak Lane, but prohibit left turns from Water Oak Lane onto West Granada Boulevard.
Also, the $145,000 project will add a new U-turn apron on eastbound West Granada Boulevard at the intersection with Bermuda Estates Drive. FDOT states the apron will allow for a wider turn radius for vehicles making a U-turn from westbound Granada Boulevard onto eastbound Granada Boulevard.
Between Jan. 1, 2015 and Jan 31, 2023, there were 29 crashes, resulting in 14 injuries and over $152,000 in estimated property damage, at the Water Oaks Lane and Granada Boulevard intersection.
The Volusia County Environmental, Cultural, Historical and Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, and two requests for funding by the city of Ormond Beach will be reviewed.
The city of Ormond Beach, according to a press release, is seeking $456,479 in ECHO funds for the installation of LED lighting at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex softball quad, as well as $216,326 for improvements to baseball fields 2-5 at the Nova Community Park.
The city estimates that the LED lighting at the Sports Complex softball quad will cost $912,959. The city’s 50% match — a requirement for ECHO funding — is slated to come from the Leisure Services Capital Fund.
The renovation to the ball fields will cost a total of $432,652, with $100,000 coming from the Leisure Services Capital Fund and $116,326 from the city’s general fund reserves.
During a workshop last year, commissioners expressed concern with the safety of the ball fields, which were last rehabilitated between 15 and 20 years ago..
Last September, the commission approved a property tax increase that was 13.71% above the rollback rate, in large part to fund the softball quad lighting project and the renovation of the ball fields at Nova Rec.
The ECHO Committee will review over $5 million worth of funding requests at its Feb. 16 meeting, to be held in the County Council Chambers at 123 W. Indiana Ave. in DeLand.
