- May 2, 2024
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Pedestrians wait in the turn land for traffic to clear on Nova Road between Sterthaus Drive and Wilmette Avenue. Photo by Wayne Grant
Residences on the east and shopping on the west means that pedestrians often cross the road. Courtesy photo
The free-wheeling stretch of Nova Road from Sterthaus Drive to Wilmette Avenue, where a center lane offers unlimited left turns, could see some changes in coming years. FDOT and the city are looking at safer ways for pedestrians to cross the thoroughfare, which has three lanes in each direction, plus a turn lane.
There have been two people in wheelchairs hit by cars trying to cross the highway, and local businesswoman Amy Rugg knew one of them.
“It was horrific,” she said at a public meeting Oct. 27 with FDOT and city representatives. The person was hospitalized but later released.
“We have to give people in wheelchairs the chance to get safely where they need to go,” she said.
On the east side of Nova Road are apartments and assisted living facilities, and on the west side are retail businesses including The Trails Shopping Center. This creates pedestrian traffic across the road, including people in wheelchairs.
The purpose of the meeting, arranged by FDOT, was to get public opinion on different options to make pedestrian crossing safer. Richard Morrow, traffic engineer for FDOT, said the agency has observed dangerous conditions of people walking across the six lanes of traffic, often standing in the turn lane waiting for traffic to clear.
City officials have also noticed the problem, and City Commissioner Bill Partington has commented about it at a City Commission meeting.
Morrow noted that there are traffic lights at Granada Boulevard and Wilmette Avenue, but people don’t walk down to those intersections.
Morrow said there is no project and no funding at this time and it’s only in the discussion stage. He said the next step, after getting public input, will be for FDOT and city of Ormond Beach staff to get together and decide what action, if any, should be taken.
The first option is to do nothing, Morrow said.
The second option is to install three raised medians. Morrow said they have found three locations that have the least impact on vehicles turning left into businesses. These medians would have a refuge area for pedestrians to wait until traffic clears and would be cut out for wheelchairs.
The third option is to have a raised median from Sterthaus to Wilmette. It would only have openings for major intersections, preventing the unlimited left-turn opportunities into businesses.
If Option 3 is selected, a public hearing will be necessary because of the impact on traffic and businesses.
“It’s the safest option for pedestrians, but takes away the left turn option,” Morrow said.
Nova Road does not qualify for a pedestrian crossing, such as found on West Granada Boulevard at Grind Gastropub, because it has three lanes in each direction. FDOT only installs pedestrian crossings on roads with two lanes in each direction, for pedestrian safety.
There is also an option for a traffic light at Old Kings Road and Nova Road. Morrow said present traffic numbers do not warrant a light, but the condo being constructed on Sterthaus Drive could increase traffic to a point where a light will be needed.
The public meeting was advertised in newspapers, radios and the city website, and post cards were mailed to nearby residents. Businesses were also contacted.
QUOTE
“We have to give people in wheelchairs the chance to get safely where they need to go.”
AMY RUGG, resident speaking at FDOT meeting
BOX
Have your say
The public is welcome to comment on whether a median should be added in Nova Road from Sterthaus to Wilmette, if short medians should be added at strategic locations, of if nothing should be done. Email comments to [email protected] by Nov. 10.
