TRANSPORTATION

The purpose of this Interchange Justification Report (IJR) is to document the potential benefits and impacts of a proposed interchange on Interstate 95 (I-95) at Pioneer Trail (CR 4118) near Milepost (MP) 19.032 located in Volusia County, Florida. The proposed interchange is located between two existing interchanges on I-95 with SR 421 at MP 23.300 to the north and with SR 44 at MP 16.287 to the south. Figure E-1 shows the location of the proposed interchange.

The purpose and need for the proposed interchange on I-95 at Pioneer Trail is to support the economic viability and job creation associated with planned and approved future development in the vicinity of the study area, reduce congestion at the adjacent I-95 interchanges, and to better serve regional trips originating in and destined to the study area. Additionally, Volusia County and the cities of Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach have identified benefits to emergency evacuation conditions that would be realized by an interchange on I-95 at Pioneer Trail. Section 7 of this document includes a summary of key assumptions, findings, and recommendations.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulates the addition and modification of access points along the interstate system and has eight policy points that must be addressed before a new interchange is approved. The following summarizes how the proposed interchange on I-95 at Pioneer Trail will satisfy each requirement.