Florida Governor Ron DeSantis marked the groundbreaking of a major reconstruction project at the Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 interchange in Ormond Beach, a project state officials say is beginning ahead of schedule.
The interchange—one of the oldest on Florida’s highway system—is being rebuilt as part of the state’s Moving Florida Forward initiative. The project was originally expected to begin later this decade but has now been accelerated by at least a year, according to state officials.
Officials with the Florida Department of Transportation said the project was advanced significantly ahead of its original timeline, with some estimates placing the acceleration as much as 15 to 20 years earlier than initially planned.
State leaders attributed the earlier start to a construction approach known as “Modified Phased Design-Build,” which is designed to streamline project delivery and reduce costs while speeding up timelines.
Capacity, Safety Improvements Planned
The reconstruction project includes several major upgrades aimed at improving traffic flow and safety along a heavily traveled corridor in Volusia County.
Planned improvements include:
- Construction of three new bridges
- Redesigned loop ramps along I-95
- Extension of the northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp
- Widening of both interstate off-ramps
- Expansion of a one-mile segment of U.S. 1 to six lanes
Transportation officials say the redesign will allow drivers more time to merge and adjust speeds, reducing congestion and improving safety at the interchange.
Long-Term Growth and Economic Impact
According to FDOT, traffic volumes along U.S. 1 in the area are expected to double over the next two decades. The agency projects the improvements will increase roadway capacity by approximately 50 percent.
State officials also estimate the project could generate a regional economic impact of approximately $1.2 billion in Volusia County.
In addition to functional upgrades, the interchange will include architectural design elements intended to serve as a gateway into Ormond Beach and support local economic development.
