Huge transportation-related investments are in the works for Volusia and Flagler counties. Within the next five years, almost $660 million is budgeted for the planning and construction of multi-modes of transportation — from roads and sidewalks to buses and bike paths.

Among dozens of other projects, this includes the following in Volusia County:

—The long-awaited redevelopment and beautification of East International Speedway Boulevard from the Halifax River to A1A

—A SunRail station in DeLand, which is Volusia’s second station in the Central Florida commuter rail system

—Construction of a new Interstate 95 interchange at Pioneer Trail near New Smyrna Beach and pre-construction phases of new I-95 interchanges at US1 in Ormond Beach and LPGA Boulevard in Daytona Beach

—A SR44 roundabout at Kepler Road in DeLand

—A corridor planning study for Mason Avenue improvements in Daytona Beach

—And numerous sidewalk and bike path improvements.

The Structure of Transportation Planning

With the steady pace of growth in Volusia and Flagler counties, planning ahead for transportation is crucial to ensure safe and efficient travel for future populations.

This planning task is the top priority for Volusia and Flagler counties’ River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). With a staff of planners and program coordinators — and input from a wide array of citizens and local government representatives — the TPO lays the groundwork for transportation projects and planning policies up to 25 years in advance — much longer than many residents have even called Florida their home.

“The Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) provides a framework of goals and objectives to guide multi-modal transportation investments in our community,” comments Colleen Nicoulin, TPO executive director. The plan, which is updated every five years, is based on how much revenue the TPO can expect over the next two and half decades, mainly through funding from the federal government and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

The Transportation Planning Process

While the LRTP provides the blueprint for the future transportation system, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is updated every year, represents the budgeted program of transportation projects over the next five years and includes projects such as adding lanes, road reconstruction, traffic operation and safety improvements, transit projects, bicycle paths and pedestrian sidewalks.

“The five-year plan actually implements projects and programs in the long-range plan,” Ms. Nicoulin explains. She adds that the projects are prioritized by developing technical criteria in the LRTP and scoring each project as to how they rank. Those criteria cover categories such as congestion, safety, resiliency and equity and the impact of the project to the surrounding community.

Community Input…

The TPO covers transportation planning for all of Volusia County and developed areas of eastern Flagler, designated by the federal government as urban areas (with populations exceeding 50,000).

Transportation plans are “developed with input from people, agencies and organizations representing all parts of our community,” Ms. Nicoulin notes. This includes resident advisory committees from the general citizenry and special interests such as bicycle/pedestrian, technical professionals and transportation disadvantaged. And additional community outreach sessions are held for larger planned projects, such as major road improvements or highway interchanges. 

“The governing board of the TPO is comprised of elected officials from each municipality within the TPO boundary and is responsible for setting the policies and priorities and adopting the plans and programs that guide transportation decision-making and investments in the planning area,” Ms. Nicoulin explains.

Safety Is A Key Concern …

Road safety also is a special focus of TPO planning. Staff members participate in many community-related events supporting bicycle and pedestrian safety and awareness.  And the organization recently was awarded a federal Safe Streets & Roads for All (SS4A) grant that totals $400,000 with local government matches. The purpose of the grant is to significantly reduce or eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries through safety action plans that focus on all users — from motorists to pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit and commercial vehicle operators. It is part of $800 million in federal grant awards for communities through the first round of SS4A program funding — which in turn is part of President Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Law, allocating $5 billion during the next five years.

“This grant provides the TPO with the opportunity to take the next step by developing a Vision Zero Action Plan for our communities that will serve as a roadmap in leading us to an ultimate vision of zero fatalities and serious injuries on our transportation system,” Ms. Nicoulin explains.