New Smyrna Beach, FL - Residents are invited to a public hearing today at 5:30 p.m. where they are encouraged to express their ideas and concerns about a study regarding a proposed change to I-95 in southern Volusia County.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the study—known as a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study—is in regards to the proposed I-95 interchange at Pioneer Trail.
The hearing will be conducted so interested residents have a chance to express their views concerning the project's location, design and the social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed improvements.
And, with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, FDOT is offering two ways to participate. Residents will be able to attend in-person at the Brannon Center off of Riverside Drive, or online through a free virtual public hearing (VPH).
If you choose to participate online, you must register first (you can do so by clicking here.) Once you're registered, you should receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the online VPH. If you cannot view the VPH, you can also call 1-877-309-2071 and enter access code 226-674-844.
Residents who plan on attending the in-person are also asked to register in advance. To register, contact FDOT Project Manager Mary McGehee at (386) 943-5063 or email her at mary.mcgehee@dot.state.fl.us.
In-person attendees will be required to wear a face mask or covering. The meeting will take place Wednesday (September 30th) between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Currently, the project's preferred alternative consists of a partial cloverleaf interchange at Pioneer Trail, which will include a southbound off-ramp for motorists to continue west and a separate southbound loop off-ramp to continue east.
The northbound side would have one northbound loop off-ramp that will help drivers continue either east or west on Pioneer Trail.
The purpose behind the project, per FDOT, is to relieve traffic congestion on two adjacent interchanges north and south of the project—I-95 at Dunlawton Avenue and State Road 44.
The estimated cost is $28.2 million.
