- May 4, 2024
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Mid-block crossings. Curb line adjustments. Lane reassignments.
These are three improvements under consideration for the Florida Department of Transportation's proposed roadway projects for A1A, Granada Boulevard and Nova Road. FDOT met with the Ormond Beach City Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 5, during a workshop to present the potential improvements and get feedback.
The three different road projects aim at increasing the safety of both pedestrians and motorists by implementing speed management and pedestrian safety measures, such as the construction of raised crosswalks that would function like a speed table.
"We listened to what the vision was because it's important that DOT's projects fit within the vision of our communities," said John Tyler, director of operations for FDOT's District 5. "If they don't, then we're not doing our best work."
In December 2020, FDOT presented the community with a $3.3 million pedestrian safety project that would impact A1A from Milsap Road to the intersection of East Granada Boulevard. The project proposed new crosswalks, but also concrete medians to prevent left-hand turns, a suggestion that was not received favorably by business owners — many belonging to Restaurant Row, a local nonprofit organization that aims to band restaurants on the beachside together — in that corridor. They feared the turn restriction would impact business, as people could be less willing to complete a U-turn to eat or shop at their establishments.
At the time, commissioners also raised concerns about the medians, saying U-turns in that area of A1A are not easily done.
DOT went back and revised the scope of the project, significantly reducing the number of directional medians.
According to the project description, FDOT plans to construct "a raised median within the existing two-way left turn lane, providing directional median openings at several locations to improve safety along the corridor.
Six new pedestrian crossings with rapid flashing beacons, like the one in front of the Grind Gastropub at 49 W. Granada Blvd., will be built at: River Beach Drive, Rockefeller Drive, Arlington Way, Seminole Avenue beach approach, Osceola Avenue and Beach Place.
The crosswalks at Milsap Road, Benjamin Drive, and north of Bosarvey Drive will be raised.
FDOT is also considering modifying the lanes at the intersection of A1A and East Granada Boulevard, but project manager Ty Garner said that is still being studied.
Two other road projects were discussed at the workshop, but neither as far along as the A1A project.
FDOT is looking at ways to manage speed on West Granada Boulevard from U.S. 1 to A1A. The scope of this project includes a speed study, which is currently underway, as well as a reduction in lane widths and curb shifts. It would also modify the mid-block pedestrian crosswalk in front of the Grind Gastropub at 49 W. Granada Blvd. so that it lines up straight across, rather than the existing zig-zagged design. FDOT is also exploring adding two new crosswalks on East Granada Boulevard.
The second project would target Nova Road, which was determined to be a dangerous road for pedestrians in 2016. Several fatalities have occurred in the stretch of Nova Road from West Granada Boulevard to Main Trail. FDOT is still studying this project, but it is considering raised medians to facilitate mid-block crosswalks and the repurposing of lanes, which could reduce it from six to four lanes.
With the commissioners' support, FDOT plans to explore the Nova Road project further.
"On social media, they've dubbed it the Nova 500," Mayor Bill Partington said. "It happens every single day, and so when your residents are talking about excessive speeds like that throughout your city ... I think the majority of people are going to be in agreement that things need to slow down over there so that it's safe for pedestrians."
