ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – During Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs' State of the County address Friday morning, she pointed out some important achievements over the last year. The highlight of her speech is what she's looking forward to in the coming months, including a big road construction project that will help a lot of drivers.
Jacobs broke down the plans and funding for the county's "Invest Initiative." It is a $300 million project with a big focus on infrastructure.
"Wow, that's $200 million in roadway improvements," Jacobs said. "Now that's a lot of orange cones and all without raising taxes."
According to the county, the initiative's funds are already budgeted. It will use existing resources by leveraging improved sales tax collections.
There are 10 projects on the road improvement list:
- Kennedy Boulevard from Forest City Road to Wymore Road will be widened to four lanes.
- Econlockhatchee Trail from Valencia College Lane to Lake Underhill Road will be widened to four lanes.
- Lake Underhill Road from Econ Trail to Rouse Road will be widened to four lanes.
- Texas Avenue from Americana Boulevard to Holden Avenue will be widened to four lanes.
- Ficquette Road from Summerlake Park Boulevard to the end of the current construction project at Overstreet Rd will be widened to four lanes.
- Reams Road from Summerlake Park Boulevard to Taborfield Avenue will be widened to four lanes.
- Richard Crotty Parkway from SR 436 to Goldenrod Road will be widened to four lanes.
- Boggy Creek Road from Wetherbee Road to State Route 417 will be widened to four lanes.
- Boggy Creek Road from Osceola County Line to State Route 417 will be widened to four lanes.
Selected East Orange County critical transportation needs will be addressed.
Construction starts in mid 2017, right in the middle of the Big Drive construction projects. The mayor acknowledges the travel pains.
"Please keep something in mind, whether you are a parent driving your children to school or you are a nurse or entrepreneur catching the SunRail to work, generations to come will benefit from the sacrifices and inconveniences we enjoy today," she said.
Adding all the future construction is worth the temporary sacrifice.
"It's for them and it's for all of us that we make this investment and we put up with the inconvenience," Jacobs said.
The county is already in the process of purchasing rights of way along several of the roads.
The mayor says the "Invest Initiative" will also fund other crucial community projects, including $15 million on improving intersections and pedestrian safety as well as $30 million to build three new fire stations.
The county says it will take five to ten years to complete the road projects.