DELAND, Fla. – Drivers in DeLand woke up Thursday to a completely new traffic pattern at one of the city’s busiest and most crash-prone intersections after crews worked overnight to open the first phase of a new roundabout at State Road 44 and Kepler Road.
The Florida Department of Transportation said crews spent the night paving, striping and removing traffic signals to prepare the intersection for the new single-lane configuration. By dawn, the first phase of the roundabout was open, allowing vehicles to move through a loop designed to slow traffic and reduce conflict points in an area long known for crashes and backups.
Commuter Johnson Etienne said the change is welcome.
“We all just want to get somewhere that we need to get to,” he said. “But at the same time, safety is the main concern.”
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FDOT officials were on-site during peak morning rush to monitor how drivers handled the new layout, including Christine Barone, the agency’s DeLand operations engineer.
“We’re excited about this. This was the big first step of the roundabout at the intersection,” Barone said. “Right now you see traffic in the outside lane of what we call the roundabout. In about three or four weeks, we’ll transition traffic to the inside lane, and by mid- to late January we should be in the two-lane, double-lane roundabout configuration.”
According to FDOT, roundabouts can reduce serious injury or fatal crashes by up to 82% compared with traditional intersections.
FDOT public information officer Cindi Lane urged drivers to use caution as they adjust to the new pattern.
“We encourage everybody to approach it slowly, pay attention to where they’re at, follow the signage and barrels, and go through carefully,” Lane said. “Watch for crews.”
Right-turn bypass lanes will be added as construction continues. The full project, which will include new sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian beacons, is expected to be completed in early 2026.
FDOT officials say they will continue monitoring traffic throughout the week and make adjustments if needed.
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