Road construction projects typically aren’t known for their eye-catching aesthetic features but a new iconic landmark in Daytona Beach is changing that narrative. Installed last month, the large concrete sculpture is greeting thousands of motorists traveling northbound along I-95 between the Beville Road and International Speedway Boulevard exits.
Designed by Doug Bolas, NASCAR’s VP of Design and Development, the multi-sectional sculpture features shapes and angles which abstractly define things Daytona Beach is known for – waves, NASCAR and airplanes. The structure has 12 individual sections with 10 triangular pieces ranging from 14.5 feet to 25 feet tall. The idea for the sculpture was conceived in 2015 when a committee of local stakeholders was created to select a gateway feature into the City of Daytona Beach. The committee held public meetings to select the feature’s design, location, style and LED lighting. There were several opinions for what the feature should be, with ideas ranging from a wave inspired sculpture to a marquis sign.
The aesthetic feature was part of the overall $206 million Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) project to widen I-95 in Volusia County from New Smyrna Beach to Daytona Beach. FDOT allocated up to 2% of the project’s total cost for the aesthetics feature.
The widening of I-95 in Volusia County and reconstructing 20 ramps and bridges, including interchanges at I-4 and U.S. 92, is nearly complete. There are at least six lanes of I-95 from Miami to Georgia that are open.