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I-4 and I-95 Ramp Closures and Detours in Seminole, Volusia Counties

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Drivers are advised of upcoming nighttime ramp closures with detours on Interstate 4 (I-4) at County Road (C.R.) 46A in Seminole County and Interstate 95 (I-95) at U.S. 1 in Volusia County.

Monday through Thursday from about 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., the C.R. 46A exit ramp from the I-4 westbound collector distributor road will be closed to accommodate guardrail installation. Traffic will be directed to stay on I-4 westbound to Lake Mary Boulevard and access I-4 eastbound to the C.R. 46A exit.

Ramp closures on I-95 at the U.S. 1 interchange (Exit 273) in northern Volusia County also are scheduled early next week; and, will affect the I-95 northbound off ramp to U.S. 1 and the I-95 southbound on ramp from U.S. 1. Each ramp will be closed one night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow workers to install bases for new interchange lighting. Traffic will be detoured using Old Dixie Highway (Exit 278).

Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances. Electronic message boards will be used to alert motorists to lane closures and detours, and updates will be available on the FDOT’s Central Florida website CFLRoads.com.

Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at 386-943-5479 or [email protected].

FDOT advises drivers to slow down and use extra caution in construction zones.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Visits Volusia County Wildfire, Provides Update on Florida Wildfire Activity

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today visited the Pioneer Trail fire in Volusia County and provided an update on Florida’s wildfire activity. ThePioneer Trail fire closed a portion of I-95 until earlier this morning and is currently 205 acres and 90 percent contained.

Currently, there are 57 active wildfires in Florida burning 32,031 acres.

Significant Wildfires in Florida:

  • Firebreak Fire, Gulf County: 8,000 acres and 25 percent contained.
  • Pioneer Trail Fire, Volusia County: 204 acres and 90 percent contained.
  • Old Blade Line Fire, Polk County: 450 acres and 60 percent contained.
  • Greenway Fire, Collier County: 16,876 acres and 70 percent contained.
  • Tall Pines 2 Fire, Miami-Dade County: 715 acres and 40 percent contained.
  • West Boundary Fire, Hendry County: 2,642 acres and 80 percent contained.
  • Dirt Road Fire, Miami-Dade County: 400 acres and 90 percent contained.

Additional Resources Deployed to Firebreak Fire:

  • State Firefighting Medium Bulldozers: 13
  • State Firefighting Heavy Bulldozers: 2
  • State Firefighter Fixed-Wing: 1
  • State Firefighting Super Huey Helicopter: 1

Resources Deployed to Southwest Florida:

  • State Firefighting Bulldozers: 12
  • Fire District & State Brush Trucks: 15
  • Fire District Water Tenders: 2
  • State Firefighting Super Huey Helicopter: 1
  • State Firefighter Fixed-Wing: 1

The Florida Forest Service is urging residents to be cautious with fire and heat sources and to remember the following:

  • Develop and implement a family wildfire action plan;
  • Call 911 or a local Florida Forest Service field unit office immediately in the event of a wildfire;
  • Obey Florida’s outdoor burning laws;
  • Never burn on windy days;
  • Always keep a water source and suppression tools on hand when burning yard debris;
  • Never leave an outdoor fire or hot grill unattended; and
  • Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres.

Volusia County State Attorney R.J. Larizza Endorses Marsy’s Law

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Calls on Florida Constitutional Revision Commission to send Proposal 96 to the
voters, to place enforceable rights for crime victims in the Florida Constitution

The Marsy’s Law for Florida effort today announced the endorsement and support of R.J. Larizza, the elected State Attorney for the 7th Judicial District, which includes Daytona Beach, and between its four counties has nearly a million residents.

“As a prosecutor, I have devoted my professional career, and my time in public office, to ensuring that victims of crime are treated with dignity and respect.  On a weekly basis I meet with Victims and their families to discuss and prepare them for the grueling process they are about to experience. Because supporting victim’s rights is the right thing to do, I endorse Marsy’s Law and urge CRC members to advance it to voters,” said State Attorney Larizza, in supporting the measure.  “I have reviewed the language in Proposal 96, Marsy’s Law, as it heads to the full Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), and I am confident that these enumerated rights will guarantee that victims of crime have meaningful and enforceable rights.”

Proposal 96, known as Marsy’s Law, proposes to enshrine key rights for victims of crime into the Florida constitution. Highlights from the proposal include:

  • The right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • The right to be notified of proceedings in their cases.
  • The right to be present at proceedings, including the trial.
  • The right to be heard at key moments such as at sentencing or a release hearing.
  • The right to confer with the prosecuting attorney about the case.
  • The right to decline a request from the defense for pre-trial interview or discovery.
  • The right to be notified when the accused is to be released or if there is an escape.
  • The right to full and timely restitution.
  • The right to go to a judge to assert their rights if they feel they are being violated.
  • The right to be notified of their rights.

“The constitution of a state is where we place those things we value as a society – and as a values proposition Marsy’s Law is a tremendous idea.” said Larizza.

Larizza joins a growing list of State Attorneys who have endorsed Marsy’s Law, including Miami-Dade County prosecutor Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Tampa prosecutor Andrew Warren, Ocala prosecutor Brad King, as well as former State Attorneys Rod Smith of Gainesville and Willie Meggs of Tallahassee.

If passed by the CRC, Marsy’s Law for Florida would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot as a constitutional amendment. The proposal must receive 60 percent of the vote to be placed in the Florida Constitution.

About Marsy’s Law
Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail.  In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas, co-founder of Broadcom Corporation, has made it his mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights. He formed Marsy’s Law for All in 2009, providing expertise and resources to victims’ rights organizations nationwide.

FWC approves new Critical Wildlife Area in Volusia County

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today approved a new Critical Wildlife Area in Volusia County.
The small island, known as Port Orange Colony and now approved as a CWA, shelters hundreds of brown pelicans during nesting season. It is less than 2 acres but is one of the largest breeding sites for brown pelicans along Florida’s Atlantic coast.
Other vulnerable shorebirds documented to nest there include the tricolored heron and American oystercatcher. Also breeding and sheltering on the island are snowy egrets, great egrets, double-crested cormorants and great blue herons.
“Protecting Florida’s birds is what gave rise to the conservation movement in the United States,” said FWC Chairman Brian Yablonski. “This is a legacy moment that we leave for the ages as a Commission,”
In November 2016, the FWC significantly increased the number and range of Critical Wildlife Areas, created by the agency to protect critical wildlife in its most vulnerable stages from human disturbance. At that time, 13 new CWAs were added and five existing CWAs were expanded. The proposal to establish the Port Orange CWA was postponed because of questions about ownership of the property that have since been resolved.
Once the Port Orange CWA is established, it will be closed to public access from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31. The protected area includes a water buffer around the island of anywhere from 10 to 150 feet. Signs will be posted in the water to alert the public to stay out of the CWA during the closed dates.
In 2016 before establishing and expanding CWAs, the FWC conducted a statewide effort to present the proposals and obtain public input. More than 400 people attended 14 CWA workshops throughout the state. The agency then used the public feedback to improve the CWA proposals.
Learn more about Florida’s CWAs at MyFWC.com/CWA.

Senator Hutson Announces Volusia County Legislative Delegation Meeting

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Notice of Public Meeting

Senator Travis Hutson makes the following announcement regarding the delegation public hearing and deadlines.
The Volusia County Legislative Delegation Meeting will be held on Friday, November 3, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The public hearing will take place at the City of Ormond Beach Commission Chamber, 22 South Beach Street, Ormond Beach, Florida, for the purpose of hearing public testimony on general issues, legislation, local bills and appropriations.
To be placed on the agenda to address the Volusia County Legislative Delegation, please contact Danielle Curbow in Senator Hutson’s office prior to October 27, 2017.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Chapter 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons in need of special accommodations to participate in the meeting, including agendas, interpreters or assisted listening devices, shall contact the office of Senator Travis Hutson no later than two (2) weeks prior to the meeting so that accommodations can be satisfied.

Florida’s first funded SUN Trail Project Breaks Ground in Edgewater

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) joined the City of Edgewater, Volusia County, and local officials in celebrating the groundbreaking of the first project to receive funding under the Shared Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail program.
Established during the 2015 legislative session and administered by the Florida Department of Transportation, the SUN Trail program is allocated $25 million annually, from new vehicle tag fees, to expand the statewide network of paved trails. In October 2016, a total of $44,434,543 million was awarded to 45 separate projects located across 21 counties throughout Florida. This project received $1.1 million. All of the selected projects are on the SUN Trail network, which consists of the developing statewide system of paved multi-use trails for bicyclists and pedestrians, physically separated from vehicular traffic.
Construction of this first segment, between Dale Avenue and 10th Street, will help close a critical gap by connecting the existing East Central Regional Rail Trail and Daytona State College. The project is located along the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, which is a developing 260-mile regional trail system that will link together several communities including Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach, Titusville, DeLand and Palatka.
FDOT Secretary Mike Dew said, “Today’s momentous event marks not just the beginning of construction – but showcases how funding provided through the SUN Trail Program can help communities develop essential links for multi-use trails, as well as extending multimodal transportation options available for Florida’s residents and visitors and growing our economy.”
More information about the SUN Trail program can be found at http://floridasuntrail.com.

I-4 Ramp Closures at Dirksen Drive (Exit 108) in Volusia County

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FDOT Header
Drivers entering and exiting Interstate 4 (I-4) at Dirksen Drive (Exit 108) are advised of nightly ramp closures scheduled to take place Monday through Thursday, March 27 to 30, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.  Only one ramp at a time will be closed each night.
The anticipated schedule for the ramp closures and detours is as follows:

  • Monday and Tuesday: I-4 eastbound exit ramp to Dirksen Drive. For the detour, drivers on I-4 eastbound will be directed to use U.S. 17/92 (Exit 104) to Dirksen Drive.
  • Tuesday and Wednesday:Dirksen Drive entrance ramp to I-4 eastbound. During the closure, drivers will be directed to turn onto Enterprise Road, then turn right onto Saxon Boulevard and left onto I-4 eastbound.
  • Wednesday and Thursday: I-4 westbound exit ramp to Dirksen Drive. Drivers will be directed to exit and turn right onto Saxon Boulevard (Exit 111), left onto Enterprise Road, and onto Dirksen Drive.
  • Thursday: Dirksen Drive entrance ramp to I-4 westbound. Drivers will continue on Dirksen Drive to U.S. 17/92, where they will turn left and follow U.S. 17/92 to I-4 westbound.

The closures are needed to complete paving operations as part of a resurfacing and rehabilitation project along I-4 between the St. John’s River Bridge and Saxon Boulevard.
The planned schedule is weather permitting.  Electronic message signs are in use to announce the planned closures and will be updated as needed.  Updates can also be found on www.cflroads.com.
Media inquiries should be directed to the District Five Public Information Office at 386-943-5473 or [email protected].
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) urges all drivers to use caution when traveling through road construction. Please slow down and stay alert.