Orange Camp Road Project Aims for Flood Relief and Better Traffic Flow

Volusia County is moving ahead with a significant infrastructure project on Orange Camp Road that could bring much-needed flood relief and improved traffic flow to areas near DeLand, Florida. County officials have initiated steps to select an engineering firm for the first design phase, which includes plans for road widening and advanced drainage solutions.

Targeted Section: Woodland Boulevard to Kirkaldry Court

The focus of this initial stage is the stretch of Orange Camp Road running from Woodland Boulevard to Kirkaldry Court. Upgrades for this corridor include expanding the current two-lane road, introducing new retention ponds, and considering the construction of a roundabout to better manage both water runoff and vehicle movement. The effort follows the county’s acquisition and demolition of several homes along the notoriously flood-prone corridor just outside DeLand city limits.

Community Impact: Residents Weigh In

Local residents have been affected both by frequent flooding and recent changes to the neighborhood landscape. Annette Stengo, a resident living close to the newly cleared properties, described a sense of incomplete progress after the demolitions occurred. “At one point they had the hose going from Orange Camp all the way to our rear retention pond,” Stengo said. “So when I saw the houses being knocked down, it was like seemed unfinished, like there needed more to be done.”

Years of flooding have created hazardous conditions for area residents. A neighbor, Sheila, highlighted the persistent danger: “People get stuck in the flood sometimes and there’s nowhere we got to go.”

Project Goals Address Growth and Safety Needs

The Orange Camp Road project is not limited to flood control. Volusia County is also aiming to relieve persistent traffic congestion and enhance safety along a route that has become essential for the DeLand area’s increased residential and vehicular activity. With new development in the region, the county has named Orange Camp Road a high priority for improvement among its roadway network.

Annette Stengo described her own experience with daily traffic backups: “With the traffic, sometimes I’ll usually go out that exit because getting out here and turning left sometimes is quite difficult,” she explained.

Sheila emphasized that recent population growth only reinforces the importance of the project: “I know that this whole area is growing. There’s a lot of houses being built. I’ve been living in DeLand for over 20 years. So I know, you know, it’s growing, which is a good thing but this has to be done.”

Next Steps: Design and Approval Process

If the Volusia County Council approves the selection of an engineering firm at its upcoming meeting, the plan will move forward to the design and permitting stage. Final contracts will still need to be negotiated and brought before the council, which means construction will not begin immediately. Nonetheless, neighbors view the movement as encouraging progress toward solutions for the area’s flood and traffic concerns.

Longstanding Issues Set for Resolution

The Orange Camp Road widening and drainage improvement project represents a comprehensive county road initiative intended to resolve long-standing issues along a flood prone corridor. Through the addition of retention ponds and the possible roundabout construction, the plan addresses the demands of a growing DeLand, Florida community while providing flood relief and improved traffic pathways for residents and commuters.

Source: clickorlando.com.