Finally, construction of the $2.3 million roundabout first planned in 2018 at Cody’s Corner–the intersection of State Road 11 and County Road 304, one of the deadliest in the county–begins Monday.
The roundabout is one of two projects on State Road 11. The other is a 15-mile, $15.4 million resurfacing project. The roundabout is the result of two studies that confirmed what local residents have always known: the intersection is a magnet for crashes, with six deaths there since 2014–two in 2022 alone–and 15 injuries. Both studies recommended that a roundabout be built. A traffic signal was ruled out because traffic is too light to warrant it.
“The roundabout was found to have the greatest safety and cost-benefit,” an FDOT presentation concludes, as it would reduce traffic conflict points from 32 to eight. Numerous studies have found roundabouts to be the far safer alternatives at certain intersections, significantly reducing head-on and t-bone crashes, and reducing the chance of a fatal or serious injury crash by 80 to 85 percent. All vehicles are traveling in the same direction. Crashes tend to be fender-benders or sideswipes.
Roundabouts don’t eliminate fatal crashes–no traffic device used by human beings ever could. A man lost his life at the roundabout on U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway in September 2022, but he had been speeding at around 100 miles per hour, according to a witness, and barreled through, rather than around, the roundabout. Vehicles navigating the roundabout are expected to do so at 15 to 20 miles per hour.
Roundabouts in regions not used to them, like Flagler County before the U.S. 1 roundabouts were built (another one was built at the intersection with Matanzas Woods Parkway, also resulting in no fatalities there since), have tended to draw public opposition, at times vehement opposition, including from some elected officials familiar with the life-saving success of roundabouts. The Cody’s Corner roundabout was no exception. Local residents worried about the roundabout interfering with access to adjacent properties and the ability of semi rucks to navigate the structure.
The engineering of the roundabout is expected to address the concerns, with a “truck apron” in the center circle of the structure, designed to let trucks ride over it, intersection lighting and access openings at all four approaches to the roundabout to ensure access to nearby properties. Currently there are stop signs and rumble strips on 304 and flashing beacons on 11 cautioning about the intersection .
Aside from the safety improvements, roundabouts ensure that traffic never stops, reducing wear and tear on vehicles, reducing wait times, and reducing pollution from exhausts.
The resurfacing project of State Road 11 will stretch from the Volusia County line to U.S. 1 in Bunnell, skipping the intersection. In Bunnell pedestrian and cyclists will see further improvements, including lighting from just south of Haw Creek Road to U.S. 1, three crosswalks and a sidewalk. Two of the crosswalks will be raised and amount to traffic calming devices. A shared use path is being considered, but not certain, at the north end of the road.
Closures and detours: The operations will include the closure of the eastern side of County Road 304 at its intersection with State Road 11. This will necessitate a detour that will utilize U.S. 1 heading north to State Road 11 for access to the western portion of County Road 304. But while a detour was initially thought to be in place by Monday, April 22, FDOT said that will not happen until May 7.
Ed says
Correction. Construction actually started 3 weeks ago. DOT forgot to send out the press release.
Atwp says
Are roundabouts safer? I think traffic lights are safer. People are used to traffic lights, people are not used to roundabouts. Don’t understand why there is a mound in the middle of the roundabout on us 1 and old dixie road. Not very safe when it is hard to see on coming traffic.
Joe D says
Roundabouts work, as long as drivers understand the RULE is that drivers already in the roundabout have right of way for drivers coming into the roundabout
Rick Belhumeur says
Hallelujah. Those opposed will just have to get used to it.
Glad says
YAY! It’s about time. Anyone who can’t navigate a roundabout should perhaps take driving lessons. It’s not really that difficult. The word YIELD seems to be hard for some to comprehend and the vehicle in the circle always has the right of way. The semi trucks will have no problem I’m sure. It will be inconvenient for awhile during construction but it’s worth it.
Ed says
Funny drivers education doesn’t teach round about navigation as of today.
Ed says
Another accident today. Run a stop sign …. get into a wreck. Nothing fixes this.
TR says
I agree and would like to add that a traffic light is a lot cheaper to install. This is getting ridiculous with these round a bouts. Lets just install them at every dang intersection.
Sick of Roundabouts says
Roundabouts are not safe. They may be safe in Europe where they originated from and the drivers actually know how to navigate the roundabout but here in the US and especially Palm Coast a lesson needs to be learned. The roundabout at Matanzas Woods and US 1 is a nightmare. Everybody ignores the yield signs they don’t care who is in the circle cause they are in a hurry to get to the other side of the circle don’t understand why cause there really is not that much traffic to have warranted the roundabout in the first place. A traffic light would have been cheaper and more logical since you have to stop at a red light. The only way drivers are going to adhere to the yield signs at the roundabout is if a deputy is there to monitor and we all know that is not going to happen. As for this new roundabout if it’s where I think it is then again why can’t traffic lights be installed, I just don’t get it.
TR says
I have to admit the picture looks good, but I’ll bet when it is complete it will be a lot smaller than it looks in the picture.
I Said It says
Have people actually seen the natives navigate a roundabout? It’s quite comical. Not sure this helps those in the lightening capital of FL. Traffic lights would’ve been better. I think the natives know red, yellow, and green.
Concerned Citizen says
Kind of like cyclists in crosswalks?
Gotta get used to trucks being there unexpectedly eh?
corn and taters says
Isn’t that a nice thing to say?! Unfortunately, we have to get used to being invaded years ago
by damn Yankees which has caused traffic issues resulting in the ‘need’ for these stupid roundabouts. How ’bout you get used to the fact that you all have RUINED the paradise we grew up in and it will NEVER be the same!
Dave says
Just driving that road this past Sunday and the FDOT sign noted, 4 way stop coming. So in a few days it turned into a traffic circle, interesting. Now if people actually understood, the vehicles that are WITHIN the traffic circle have the right of way, life will be good. These traffic circles if an actual study would be made, show the majority of impatient drivers doing their best to push the Right of way rules, i.e. they take a chance that the cars that are within the circle are going to stop and let them go. This happens all the time at US-1 and Old Dixie, the majority of the drivers do not have a clue what yield means.
Me says
I would think a traffic light would have been better and cheaper to install then a roundabout.
Peaches McGee says
Please cite your evidence that roundabouts are not safer than traffic lights.
PC has had roundabouts for many years. Take a drive through Town Center.
FlaglerLive says
There is non such evidence. Atwp is misinformed.
Linda says
The picture is not a picture of the intersection in question. Probably just a file photo. A traffic liht here would have been much safer. EVERY accident at this intersection is due to only one thing. Not stopping for the stop sign. A round about in this location is a disaster waiting to happen. But time will tell.
Even sheriff Staley was against this one
Peaches McGee says
As a native Floridan, I take offense to your comment. It’s racist against my culture and heritage.
If you don’t like Florida or its natives, please take I95 North. We won’t miss you.
Jf says
Ppl have died there where is your compassion for human life?!!!!!!!!!
Doug says
You nailed it. Look at the beach side of the county and what’s happened over the last few years. Traffic is a nightmare, and most people are a$$holes. Absolutely nauseating.
Doug says
I’ll gladly navigate them onto I95 and point them north myself.
Doug says
It’s comical to read the comments of the few who probably have never been to Cody’s Corner. They’re only complaining about a “roundabout!” Go back up north and get a life.
Doug says
There’s opinions and experts, but we must know where your expertise on roundabouts comes from…traveling to Europe???
The Geode says
Are you REALLY going to debate the merits of this person’s arguments given all his previous comments? I’m surprised he didn’t say that “roundabouts are racist to slow down all the cars driven by Blacks while straightening itself out to allow White drivers to speed through unencumbered” (not that he would have used “unencumbered” but something to that effect…)
The Geode says
If the people who died or killed someone at that intersection couldn’t get the concept of STOP with blinking red lights – what the hell is YIELD supposed to do? Besides, if you are stupid enough to blast through an intersection “willy-nilly”, the roundabout will serve as a nice “jumping ramp”. See you when you land…
The Geode says
…and hopefully he’ll start a caravan with his neighbors and the rest of the carpet baggers, snowbirds, transplants and gypsies. #NativeFlaglerCountian #BunnellStrong
Pogo says
@The old men…
…complaining they need a light to start going; the real thing will be smaller in person — I’d guess their wives agree.
Jf says
So you offended by statements being made. You rednecks yes rednecks, if you can call us a bunch of Yankees then we can call you rednecks. If it weren’t for all of us Yankees Palm Coast would not be what it has become today. Do you honestly think that we would be getting all of these big box stores and developers coming in for just a bunch of rednecks. NO! What don’t you all just stay out there,make your own damn grocery stores,gas stations bank’s etc and leave us Yankees alone and stay out of Palm Coast.
Denali says
Failure to ‘yield’ at a round-a-bout is akin to failing to ‘merge’ onto a highway. Traffic in the circle or driving in the outside lane of the interstate have the right-of-way and it is your responsibility to blend in to the flow of traffic by ‘yielding’ or ‘merging’. It is a very simple concept and it amazing how so many people either just can not comprehend it or are so blatantly self-entitled that they feel the rules do not apply to them. If you cannot or will not comply will these simple and basic rules of traffic flow; stay the hell off the roads.
TR says
Oh yea there are only two and no traffic, so they were a waste of money to put them in. Most traffic through those two round a bouts could go straight with a right turn off the main drive. Not to mention most people driving through there don’t use them correctly anyway. I know this because I travel through both on a weekly bases. So answer me this. If round a bouts are safer than traffic lights, why are there so many traffic light installed instead of a round a bout? The other question is why is the DOT targeting Flagler County with all these round a bouts compared to other cities that have as much or more accidents then Flagler? who’s getting a kick back?
I didn’t say that they weren’t safe. I just think they are wasted money when a traffic light would do the same thing and have the same outcome and cost a lot less.
TR says
Of course there is no evidence being he stated an opinion with the word “I think” which everyone has one. The same can be said for anyone who THINKS round a bouts are safer. I’m starting to think this is going to be a topic where half the people like them and the other half does not. But just because they are installed and if someone has to drive around one doesn’t make them better.
TR says
Any road where the traffic is heavily traveled should not have a speed limit that is slower then a turtle.
IMO, it’s ridiculous to have a 25mph speed limit along A1A when you have people driving slow just to look at the ocean. They act as if they never saw water before. Dumb.
TR says
Semi trucks do have a problem because the round a bouts are two small. That’s why they are build with the red pavers in them so the trailer of the semi can make it around them.
TR says
I agree with you and would like to add that one reason they don’t work here in the states is because they are a lot smaller then in Europe.
True fact, I have plenty of family all throughout Germany that I visit often. In the past 10 years ALL the round a bouts have been removed that where there for years because they found that they caused more problems then a traffic signal. This also happened in NJ back in the early 90’s on a roadway that was like US1. There where 4 round a bouts that were put in the early 80’s and 10 years later they were removed and traffic signals installed. So if history repeats itself, by 2034 these round a bouts will be removed and traffic signals installed. I guess it is called job security.
TR says
Yes it is a correct picture if your looking at the first one at the beginning of the article. Cody’s Corner is the building in the top left corner, RT 11 is next to it looking toward the top of the picture and around the circle continuing to the bottom of the picture. 304 goes across the picture from right to left or left to right whichever way you decide to look at it.
Rob Bob says
Its funny how you say stay out there …but I sure see a lot of noise polluting Harleys and bicycles enjoying the scenery out here..
if we said keep the bikes in town… is that fair?
Linda says
That is not a picture of Cody’s Corner. The building looks nothing like the house in the picture. Across 304 is not a plowed dirt field. In fact none of the property on any of the corners in the picture is even remotely correct
Billy says
To start off the first thing you do is place traffic lights up that’s the easiest and always the most safest and the less expensive. As normal Palm Coast, somebody in the city is getting their hands cashed under the table dealings all the time.
A Concerned Observer says
Yes, this particular intersection has proven to be all too frequently dangerous and even deadly. Realistically, if all of the drivers passing through this intersection obeyed the traffic statutes pertaining to stop signs, right of way and speed limits, the existing intersection would be fine as it is. However, I have every expectation that the same drivers who fail to obey the laws when they pass through this intersection will have no more regard for the laws with respect to a round about (or traffic circle). Most do not know or care about others right of way of traffic laws. So many drivers I see are impatient, self-centered arrogant drivers who are concerned only with two things; me and now. Unfortunately, as many drivers do not know or care about how to safely and legally traverse an intersection with a two-way or worse yet a 4-way stop intersection, far more drivers have no idea how to properly and safely traverse a roundabout. Another concern based upon personal experience with the two-lane roundabout at US1 and Old Dixie is that this roundabout, at least, is too tight a radius with too narrow lanes. This causes semi’s trailer or long goose-neck trailers will pass into the inside lane even when the driver is properly driving through the outside lane. There have been accidents at this intersection where the other driver was too impatient or arrogant to slow down and give the long vehicle time to pass through the roundabout ahead of them. With a little engineering forethought, this new roundabout will be only a single lane roundabout and will be of wide enough lanes and radius to allow safe travel for long vehicles through it. Failing that, uneducated, arrogant and impatient drivers will still make this attempt a failure to create a safe route through this area.
Atwp says
Geode, thanks for reading my previous comments. All were not racist. Will continue to write comments. You have a right to judge my merits, your merits are not the best. Just saying.
TR says
polluting bicycles? How are they polluting anything. The other thing is why you got to point out just Harley’s? There are plenty of people driving cars and trucks out in your neck of the woods, but they don’t pollute the air? They pollute the air more then Harley’s do. In fact I’ll bet you drive a pick up truck and it might even be a diesel so you my friend pollute the area every time you drive out in your neck of the woods more then 5 Harley’s do combined. So give me a break.
dave says
Speaking of round a bouts / traffic circles. You should have been in my car at US1 and old dixie during bike week. I would say 40 bikes + coming from Destination Daytona towards Bunnell got to the traffic circle, the car yields to their right, and the first bike and every bike there after went through, not slowing down, no yield just a parade of bikes. LOL.
FlaglerLive says
Obviously it’s not a picture: the roundabout hasn’t been built yet. It’s a DOT computer rendition from a video of what the roundabout would look like.
David Schaefer says
You forgot those idiots the MAGA crowd…
David s. says
[Please comply with our comment policy. Thank you.–FL]
Peaches you sound like a redneck…..
Joe D says
And they will take their property tax money and tourist money “North” with them.
Hope y’all enjoy the new STATE INCOME tax of 5-10% each year out of your paychecks, that will replace that money…like many other states have.
Talk about biting the hand that FEEDS YOU…now I see where DeSantis’ war with Disney came from.
Mischa Gee says
I lived in a state (NJ) where there were very large, easy to maneuver, traffic circles, or roundabouts as some like to call them. They were on a state highway that went through several counties. At the time the highway was built those counties still had a lot of undeveloped land, so the traffic on it was still light.
As time went by, the highway became more and more congested and the traffic circles became more and more dangerous, had more and more crashes including deadly ones, until every single one of them was removed and replaced with traffic lights.
The traffic circles that were out in on Rt one through Flagler county are too small, leave no room for someone to change into the lane they need to be in to turn and are the worst road hazards I personally have encountered. I drove in NYC and wasn’t as scared as when I am approaching those intersections.
There are a lot of miscalculations being made by our leaders in government. Ripping out redlights, when putting warning lights that blink before a blind intersection to let you know the light up ahead is red, and putting in those awful, dinky, hinky circles was a huge one. Thank goodness they didn’t rip out the much needed widening of WhiteView Pkwy where it meets Route 1. Let’s hope they leave the light at the intersection alone, and get rid of the circles before too long.
Let’s hope critical thinking becomes popular again, before this city and county go into debt for even more bad choices, can you say splash park instead of a city pool, anyone!?
Crystal Lang says
You are absolutely correct on the first and second paragraph on traffic circles I know that for a fact. I was so happy the one I had to encounter from time to time was taken out and traffic lights put in. Way too many accidents on that Highway. The problem here is no one yields and it happened to me twice and since I was the one who had to stop so I didn’t hit I was lucky there was no one behind me. You have no where to go to avoid getting hit or having some time to get into the correct lane, at least up north where they had them they were huge just like in Europe. Wait until Sawmill Creek/Branch is at capacity I see backups for them trying to get out and that circle becoming more of a mess.
Sick of Roundabouts says
I’m not an expert in roundabouts and quite frankly I’m not an expert in anything. But having some knowledge is not considered an expert and no, I don’t travel to Europe can’t afford it and afraid to fly. I just know from my family members who live/lived/visited there and one of them was my daddy. Old Kings and Rt 1 will be shut down for months for one, plus the labor and materials yes it’s cheaper and quicker to put a light there seriously wait til the nasty weather comes those couple of months is going to turn into 6 months. All the extra money they will be spending to install this disaster could have gone towards the cost for the “C” section dredging instead of everyone fighting over who should be paying for it. I don’t need to be an expert to know that. And the latter part of my comment is my opinion. I hope I didn’t offend anyone with my comments.
TR says
Hope you enjoyed the parade. They are always nice to watch.
TR says
Misha Gee, you must be talking about the same ones I was talking about in my earlier comment. Thanks for confirming.
The Geode says
I can deal with that if it means less traffic, congestion, and peace of life. I mean, we were doing JUST FINE before you got here and will do even better when you leave. Maybe Palm Coast politicians will suffer because they wouldn’t have as much money to waste and embezzle but to hell with them too…
Goobertron says
Where did you grow up corn and taters? Because it wasn’t Palm Coast! And if it’s Bunnell, ain’t nut’in changed. ITT is, was a Northern Company (White Plains NY) with Northern Employees that advertised to a Northern client base. The Mondecks is still the Mondecks, and the Good ole boy families still here playing out their real-life Yellowstone episodes seem to be laughing all the way to the bank.
Goobertron says
Uncle/Auntie Ruckus strikes again…
Irwin M Fletcher says
I hope they stick to that rendering of the rotary. It would be so good to see one built right rather than the ones in town center that are absolutely horribly designed.
Denali says
“The roundabout at Matanzas Woods and US 1 is a nightmare. Everybody ignores the yield signs they don’t care who is in the circle cause they are in a hurry to get to the other side of the circle”
So are you actually saying that the problem with the round-a-bout is the users? If the users cannot understand ‘yield’ perhaps they should not have a drivers license.
Skibum says
Wow, this article certainly stirred up a hornet’s nest! Round and round we go…
Just Me says
I got hit at the Matanzas/US1 roundabout in December by someone who drove out in front of me instead of yielding. The guy got out of his car and yelled at me for “not using a turn signal”, like he had absolutely no idea how roundabouts work. Unfortunately, I have to drive through there four times a day, and have a near miss at least three times a week from people who don’t pay attention, and there’s no way to avoid it now that Old Kings is closed. People here reallyyyyy don’t know how to use them, and it’s terrifying.
Sick of Roundabouts says
I’m saying the problem is the ROUNDABOUTS. And yes some users do not know what the word yield means at a roundabout therefore, making the roundabout dangerous. I know you don’t care but I waste more gas and more time avoiding that thing cause like I’ve said before, 3 times I was in the circle and I was the one who had to yield (with no yield sign) and I had to yield to a pick up truck with a builders name on the side of it so I guess that’s ok because he had to get to the construction site to make sure all those houses are being built as fast as they can on rt 1 and again thank God no one was behind me. The last time I looked written/driving tests did not cover roundabouts. Once those communities are at full capacity the traffic getting around the roundabout will be ten times worse. I say spend my hard earned money that goes towards my taxes on traffic lights, cheaper, safer and traffic moves faster.
Sunny says
I drive down US1 to the dollar store pull a U-turn to prevent being T-boned constantly! People are clueless. Roundabouts where designed for town squares not busy highways! People now speed through Cody’s parking lot to avoid the cluster at 304 & SR 11! A light worked fine at SR 11 & Rt 40 plus cheaper! FDOT has their head where the sun doesn’t shine!
Sunny says
People have died up & down 11 do to stupidity. The accidents there are inpatient drivers speeding plus running stop signs. Never cops on 11 its always dangerous we drive multiple times a day close calls are constant. A round-about won’t change that.
A death at US1 & Old Dixie now what?