Serving as an Orange County Commissioner on the three-county metropolitan area transportation planning agency is vital. As a board member, we receive reports from numerous transportation agencies, including FDOT and Bike Walk Central Florida.
A news conference was recently held on the Vision Zero Initiative with the purpose of reducing traffic fatalities to zero. It was a terrible thing to learn that five people die and 35 are seriously injured every week in Central Florida. The Metro Plan organization is committed to reducing these human tragedies through greater enforcement, engineering improvements, and great driver education.
Dr. John E. Tyler, the District 5 Director, routinely delivers informative reports on his agency's accomplishments. FDOT utilizes state and federal funding for completion of local transportation projects. Governor Desantis’ Moving Florida Forward program has focused funding on expanding capacity along I-4 through Osceola County. I’m sure many of you have been delayed through the Champion’s Gate area south of Disney. The design/build project has 2 billion dollars committed for I-4 improvements. Dr. Tyler also reported that FDOT is currently improving three interchanges at Sand Lake Road, Daryl Carter Parkway, and SR 535.
Dr. Tyler announced the opening of the Wekiva Parkway at I-4 in January. This roadway has been in the pipeline for nearly 20 years. The construction project has earned numerous awards and posted 19 million transactions on the completed portion. As most of you know, the completion of the Wekiva Parkway is leading to the dense developments in the city of Apopka at Kelly Park Road and the SR 429.
Dr. Tyler also reported on SunRail. SunRail is recovering ridership after the pandemic, with over 1 million annual riders. The latest new phase of Deland is promised to open in the summer of 2024. SunRail is also improving their ticketing vending and adding a mobile app. I wish I could ride the SunRail every day to work. Maybe that will happen someday when the Orange Blossom Express is constructed through Lockhart, Apopka, and on up to Zellwood.
The Sunshine Corridor, the route connecting the Convention Center/Epic Universe to the airport, has an active and effective group of advocates working towards the project becoming a reality. Three community meetings were held recently and there was positive feedback received from the public.
Dr. Tyler mentioned FDOT’s interest in road safety projects, in which I am keenly interested. He shared that FDOT utilized rumble strips on Hwy 60 to slow traffic and constructed raised crosswalks along the South Orange Blossom Trail, protecting pedestrians. FDOT is in the process of lighting up intersection crosswalks, and more than a hundred have been completed.
Finally, I was elected secretary/treasurer of the Metro Plan organization. Leadership is shared between leaders from Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties. Thus, in 2025, I will be installed as the president of Metro Plan. I am extremely excited about this leadership opportunity. I plan to represent District 2 well. As is my practice, I will share information on transportation improvements with you in future columns.
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