Public Hearing Scheduled for I-95 at Pioneer Trail Interchange PD&E Study

Volusia County, FL –The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is hosting a public hearing regarding the Interstate 95 (I-95) at Pioneer Trail Interchange Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study, from Williamson Boulevard to Turnbull Bay Road in Volusia County. The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the PD&E study is to evaluate proposed improvement alternatives for the I-95 at Pioneer Trail Interchange. This hearing is being conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design and social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. The preferred alternative consists of a partial cloverleaf interchange at Pioneer Trail, which includes a southbound off-ramp for drivers to continue westbound and a separate southbound loop off-ramp for drivers to continue eastbound on Pioneer Trail. In the northbound direction, one northbound loop off-ramp will be provided for drivers to continue eastbound or westbound on Pioneer Trail.

The Department is offering two ways for the community to participate in the hearing. Interested persons may join the Virtual Public Hearing (VPH) from a computer, tablet or cell phone. Or, they may participate in person by going to the Brannon Center, 105 S. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168. All participants, regardless of platform they choose, will participate in the same live hearing.

A VPH is a free live presentation or webinar over the internet. If you wish to participate in the VPH online from a computer, tablet or mobile device, registration is required in advance by going to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7201597062019171086. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the VPH online. At this time, Internet Explorer is not supported by GoToWebinar and the link for the meeting will not work on this platform. Please use an alternate web browser to register and attend the meeting.  

For participants who are unable to view the webinar, they can listen to the hearing by calling 1-877-309-2071 and entering the access code 226-674-844.

For those who choose to participate in person, the Department requests advance registration to ensure all attendees are accommodated safely and according to social distancing guidelines. Per local ordinances, attendees will be required to wear masks and follow any other local guidelines. Attendees who are not feeling well should not attend the in-person meeting. To register for the in-person option, please contact Mary McGehee, FDOT Project Manager, at 386-943-5063 or mary.mcgehee@dot.state.fl.us.

The VPH and in-person meeting location open at 5:30 p.m. A formal narrated PowerPoint presentation will begin promptly at 5:45 p.m., followed by a formal public comment period. If joining online, please provide adequate log-in time to view the presentation in its entirety.

All meeting materials, including the presentation, will be available on the project website at www.cflroads.com/436292-1 prior to the meeting.

FDOT is sending notices to all property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations to provide the opportunity to give comments to FDOT regarding the I-95 at Pioneer Trail Interchange PD&E Study. The hearing gives everyone an opportunity to express their views about the proposed improvements.

The project documents (draft environmental and engineering reports) will be available for public review until October 21, 2020 at the following locations:

1.         New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 (Mon. through Thurs. from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

2.         DeLand Library, 130 E. Howry Avenue, DeLand, FL 32724

(Mon. through Thurs. from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

3.         Online at www.cflroads.com/436292-1.

Persons wishing to submit written statements, in place of or in addition to oral statements, may do so at the hearing or by sending them to Mary McGehee, FDOT Project Manager, via e-mail at mary.mcgehee@dot.state.fl.us, or by U.S. Mail to 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, FL 32720. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, please send your comments by October 21, 2020 to be included in the records for this public hearing.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator at Jennifer.Smith2@dot.state.fl.us.

Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Mary McGehee, FDOT Project Manager, at 386-943-5063 or mary.mcgehee@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016 and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.

For media inquiries, please contact FDOT District Five Communications Office at 386-943-5593 or FDOT-D5COMM@dot.state.fl.us.

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