A STUDY OF U.S. ROUTE 17-92 CORRIDOR, ORANGE CITY, FLORIDA

The City of Orange City, Florida is located approximately midway between Daytona Beach and Orlando, Florida. Therefore, it is directly situated in the mecca of Florida tourism. Orange City has had a long and rich history, including the st, Johns and Blue Springs which were the site of more Civil War battles than any other locality as well as having contained one of the most nationally renowned natural springs. In fact, Orange City once contained one of the largest orange groves. However, population surges in the City as well as surrounding Communities over the past forty years, has contributed to vast commercial development, and in turn greater automobile usage. This has resulted in increased highway travel, thereby impacting the primary highway traversing Orange City, namely us Route 17-92. The purpose of this study is to define precisely what the problems were affecting us Route 17-92, and in turn the quality of life in Orange City. An assessment of these problems were obtained through various sources, including discussions with Orange City and Volusia County staff. However, great insight was acquired from Orange City residents and business owners located along us Route 17-92, by means of two surveys. Information was obtained from Orange City residents through a telephone survey, and procured from businesses located on us Route 17-92 through a personally hand-delivered survey. From the findings of the above analysis, the following problems were identified; traffic congestion, high number of accidents, deteriorated City and County streets, unfriendly pedestrian environment and limited pedestrian amenities, as well as an unattractive appearance. The last problem included limited landscaping, vast unbuffered frontage oriented parking lots, haphazard commercial signage and unappealing City signage. After identifying these problems, the study formulated recommendations using the results of both the resident and business owners surveys. Three categories of recommendations were devised. First, recommendations to reduce the existing highway hazards. Second, recommendations to establish a pedestrian-friendly environment. Lastly, recommendations to address the aesthetics of the project area