DELTONA, Fla. – Efforts to elevate a frequently flooded stretch of road in Deltona are gaining momentum. The City Commission of Deltona is preparing to decide on the initiation of engineering, design, and permitting phases for Elkcam Boulevard. This road, notorious for becoming submerged during even minor rainfalls, can remain inaccessible for extended periods following significant storms.
This particular section of Elkcam Boulevard dips near a lakeside residential area, making it especially susceptible to flooding. Local residents have long dealt with this issue, which gained heightened attention after the intense 2022 hurricane season caused severe flooding in the vicinity.
“Last week, with the heavy downpours, it was raining so intensely that visibility was near zero. Suddenly, the water started creeping up our driveway,” recounted Gary Morris, a resident living close to Elkcam Boulevard.
Morris expressed frustration over the sluggish progress of addressing the problem, a sentiment shared by many neighbors.
[WATCH: Deltona’s Elkcam Boulevard Elevation Project to Tackle Flooding (starting 2024)]
“We constantly hear reports about the city’s ongoing battle to resolve this issue for years, yet it seems progress is still stalled,” Morris noted.
City leaders acknowledge the urgency. Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. says securing funding and grants has been the primary obstacle to moving the project forward.
“I mean, I’ve experienced it! Getting from one side of the city to another solid 20 to 30 minutes on a good day, if that road is blocked,” Avila said.
The project is estimated at approximately $7 million, with the state covering 75% of the cost and the city responsible for the remaining 25%. An engineering group has already been selected to design the road elevation. Once the design is complete, the city will submit it to the state before breaking ground.
Avila says the deliberate approach is worth it.
“We’ve already waited this long, waiting just a little bit longer just to make sure we have the engineering part and the design part correct it’s going to be key,” Avila said.
