Officials unveil Blue Lake Avenue extension for DeLand community

Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·1 min read

A new stretch of Blue Lake Avenue in DeLand should make traveling easier and safer for residents, officials said at a ribbon cutting Thursday morning.

Crews recently completed the Blue Lake Avenue extension that connects State Road 472 to Victoria Park.

The extension adds about 2,000 feet of road and gives the Victoria Park area easier access to S.R. 472, according to county spokeswoman Heather Belden. The cost was over $3.3 million and came from proportionate fair share and impact fees. Crews finished the road in December.

Officials and residents gather in DeLand near State Road 472 to cut a ribbon celebrating the extension of Blue Lake Avenue. From left are Michael Mohler, senior project manager for Consor Engineers; Wallace Combs, project manager with P&S Paving; Michael Hickox, job superintendent with P&S Paving; Michael Pleus, DeLand city manager, County Engineer Tadd Kasbeer, Victoria Park HOA President Connie Tollakson, DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman, and Victoria Hills residents Diane and Jack Smith.

"Most importantly, the extension provides a new access point for law enforcement and emergency services, ensuring quicker response times during critical situations," according to Belden. "The new two-lane road also includes the addition of a traffic signal on State Road 472, giving Victoria Park residents the ability to connect to 17-92 and Interstate 4."

DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman said the road addresses safety and convenience.

"This is a blessing for the residents of Victoria Hills as well as the potential for future economic growth in the area," Cloudman said.

Coming soon: Volusia County Council OKs scaled-back development with up to 100 townhomes near DeLand

Connie Tollakson, HOA president for Victoria Park, said the stop light means that she can get to I-4 without worrying about getting into an accident.

"This road is very crucial for the residents, and I thank everyone who put this project (together) and made it happen," she said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeLand community gets safer, faster access to S.R. 472