BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — After several months of traffic headaches and bumps in the road for businesses, the International Speedway Boulevard project is almost finished in Daytona Beach.
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We first told you about the beach access closure and removal of the World’s Most Famous Beach sign in June.
Prioritizing pedestrian safety and a better traffic pattern for drivers has been the focus of the ISB revitalization project. Over the past several months, crews have widened the road, built sidewalks and a median. So far, visitors seem to like the view.
“It is definitely nice to run on. It’s nice and smooth. Not that that’s for everyone but even with kids, they wouldn’t trip. It just makes it all look nice,” said Jenny Rogers who is in town from Chicago.
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The FDOT road project coincides with the county’s reconstruction of the beach ramp, which is also in its final stages. There, more parking spaces and bike racks have been added, a new restroom was built, and sidewalks and lighting improved. But for businesses in the corridor, all the construction has come with a cost.
Dawn Johnson from Spanky’s said the bar has been able to stay open, but it lost its parking and the front door now opens directly onto the sidewalk. Other businesses down the street haven’t been as lucky.
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“I mean, they’re trying to stay open, but hotels won’t let them park in their parking lots even though it’s just an hour or two for eating, and a lot of people don’t even realize they’re open down there because you can’t get there from the beach,” said Johnson.
While the work has been hard on locals, tourists see the construction as a sign of what’s to come.
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“This is building up, and then it will continue to move out because people will want to come to the area and not necessarily be afraid or stuff like that,” said Rogers.
Another part of this project added underground utilities which will make the area more resilient during major storms. The city and county are planning a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the upgrades.
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