Governor Ron DeSantis celebrates early groundbreaking of major I-95 and U.S. 1 interchange reconstruction project in Ormond Beach ahead of schedule

Ormond Beach, Florida – A major highway project in Ormond Beach is moving forward earlier than expected, as state leaders officially broke ground on a large-scale reconstruction effort at the busy Interstate 95 interchange with U.S. Route 1 in Volusia County.

Governor Ron DeSantis joined transportation officials Thursday to celebrate the start of construction on what state leaders describe as one of the oldest interchanges in Florida’s highway system. The project, part of the state’s Moving Florida Forward initiative, is now beginning a full year earlier than previously scheduled.

State officials say the accelerated timeline became possible through a new construction strategy developed by the Florida Department of Transportation, allowing the project to move faster while also reducing costs and improving efficiency.

“I was proud to announce the groundbreaking of the reconstructed I-95 and U.S. 1 interchange a year ahead of schedule,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Thanks to responsible fiscal governance, we are in the position to make transformative investments in our state’s infrastructure. Florida is consistently ranked in the top five states with the highest-quality roadways, and the Moving Florida Forward Initiative ensures that Florida will continue to be a model of efficient and cost-effective infrastructure investment.”

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The reconstruction project has become one of the state’s major transportation priorities in recent years. Officials noted that the work was originally expected to begin much later, but the state ultimately advanced the project between 15 and 20 years ahead of its original long-term planning schedule.

At first, FDOT had announced an accelerated construction launch for 2027. The department has now pushed the timeline even further forward through what officials call a “Modified Phased Design-Build” method — a process designed specifically in Florida to combine several construction approaches into one faster and more flexible system.

Transportation leaders say the approach helps streamline project phases that would normally take place separately, allowing engineers, contractors, and planners to work more efficiently while construction begins sooner.

According to state officials, the improvements are badly needed as traffic volumes along U.S. 1 continue to rise. Forecasts indicate the number of vehicles using the corridor could double over the next two decades, increasing pressure on an interchange that already struggles with congestion and safety concerns.

“These new enhancements will bring much needed congestion relief and safety improvements as U.S. 1 traffic volumes are expected to double in the next 20 years,” said Jared W. Perdue. “By reconstructing the I-95 interchange and increasing U.S. 1 capacity by 50%, this project is expected to have a $554 million regional economic impact in the Volusia County community.”

The redesign includes several major structural upgrades aimed at improving both traffic flow and driver safety. Plans call for the construction of three new bridges along with redesigned loop ramps intended to simplify how drivers enter and exit I-95.

State transportation officials say some of the current ramps provide limited time and space for drivers to safely merge or slow down, particularly during busy travel periods. Under the new design, the northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp will both be extended, giving motorists more room to adjust their speed before merging into traffic.

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Both interstate off-ramps will also be widened to improve vehicle capacity and reduce bottlenecks near the interchange.

In addition, a one-mile stretch of U.S. 1 near the project area will be expanded to six lanes, a move officials believe will significantly improve traffic movement through the corridor as the region continues to grow.

Beyond transportation improvements, the project is also being promoted as an investment in the broader future of Ormond Beach and Volusia County. Officials say the redesigned interchange will serve as a gateway into the city, incorporating decorative architectural elements intended to reflect the local community while supporting economic development opportunities.

The project arrives at a time when Florida continues experiencing rapid population growth, especially in areas along major transportation corridors. As more residents and businesses move into the region, infrastructure expansion has become one of the state’s most pressing challenges.

State leaders argue that speeding up highway construction projects now could help avoid larger traffic and safety problems in the future.

For drivers who regularly travel through the Ormond Beach area, the construction period may bring temporary disruptions in the years ahead. But transportation officials say the long-term benefits — improved safety, reduced congestion, and increased roadway capacity — are expected to reshape one of the region’s busiest highway connections.

The groundbreaking ceremony marked not just the start of construction, but also what Florida leaders hope will become a model for how large infrastructure projects are delivered in the future: faster, earlier, and with fewer delays than traditional timelines once allowed.