FDOT installs temporary signals at deadly DeLand intersection

Transportation officials start process to build permanent roundabout

DeLAND, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation installed temporary signals at a deadly intersection where a grandmother and her three grandchildren were killed in a car crash earlier this month.

The four bright orange lights started directing traffic at Grand and New York avenues Wednesday. There are also signs posted before the intersection warning drivers of the new lights.

"I think the signal is great. This area needed this because of the accidents," driver Jimmy Fouts said.

The new signals come three weeks after a grandmother and her three grandkids were killed a car crash. All that is left of the memorial is a pile of dead flowers and a stuffed animal. There are also signs posted near the new signals urging drivers to slow down.

"It's a tragedy kids were killed. It had to take something like that to get something done," Fouts said.

FDOT took immediate action after the fatal crash with the temporary lights. It also announced plans to build a roundabout in the next 10 months.

Transportation officials wrote a letter to Volusia County in February saying a roundabout is safer than installing permanent lights and will reduce crashes. But drivers think the roundabout is a bad idea.

"I think it's going to cause more accidents, more congestion. You've got semi trucks, boats, stuff going through making left turns," Fouts said. "I think a lot of people are going to cut through the parking lot to avoid it. It's a big mess."

The state also lowered the speed limit around the intersection to 45 mph from 55 mph.

FDOT tells News 6 it started accepting proposals for the new roundabout on Monday. It hopes to pick a builder and a plan by the end of next month.


Recommended Videos