NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – New Smyrna Beach city officials are asking residents for input on a proposed roundabout at a US-1 intersection near the airport that has seen multiple fatal crashes in recent years.
The intersection at Inlet Shores Drive serves as the entrance to the Inlet Shores neighborhood and sits near a popular boat ramp, the airport entrance, a flight school and several businesses. Over the last three years, there have been 13 crashes at the location — five of them fatal — resulting in more than $230,000 in property damage.
Chris Reinhart has driven the road daily for the past 10 years on his way to work at Lost Lagoon Restaurant.
“We have some nasty accidents between here and Bella Valentino’s coming down, so, yeah, there is a problem,” Reinhart said.
He said drivers simply are not stopping in time.
“They don’t stop in time; it’s simple as that. They’re coming down at 60 miles per hour and it doesn’t take a cheese to figure out what’s going to happen after that,” Reinhart said.
Reinhart has witnessed close calls and serious crashes at the intersection. In 2024, three people died in one crash at the location, including two local teachers.
City Airport Director Arvin Weese said the tragedy accelerated conversations with the Florida Department of Transportation about finding a solution.
“We were already talking to FDOT about the issue, but that’s what got us talking about it even more, so we recognize it and don’t want it to happen again,” Weese said.
The city is now considering a roundabout as its proposed fix. The speed limit along the stretch is currently 55 mph, but Weese said speeds would drop as drivers approached a roundabout.
“The curves in the road and people coming in and out and people going to school and whatnot, it’s created this safety issue we’re getting more and more concerned about,” Weese said.
The city said it’s still three to five years out from construction of any solution. While a roundabout is not yet the official solution, those who live and work near the intersection say they are encouraged that the city is taking action.
“Something should be done, I’m just not sure what the solution might be,” Reinhart said.
City officials will hold a public input meeting Wednesday at the Brannon Center from 5 to 6:30 p.m.