SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – This fall, officials are expected to decide on a proposed toll road to connect State Road 417 and the Orlando Sanford International Airport, a project that’s been discussed for nearly two decades now.
Public meetings happening this week are one of the last steps in the process before the preferred route is presented to the Central Florida Expressway Authority Board in October. Over the years, CFX has been evaluating different options and finding alternatives to find an alignment that works best to alleviate congestion and minimize impacts to the surrounding area.
The preferred option, alignment “2A,” would connect to SR-417 near the Lake Jessup toll area and extend northeast towards East Lake Mary Boulevard and Red Cleveland Boulevard.
“This is the final public hearing, but prior to that, we’ve had multiple public meetings where we’ve worked towards a final alignment,” said Brian Hutchings, Senior Manager of Community Relations for CFX. “This whole process has really been to thread that needle.”
Since 2006, officials have been considering ways to meet the growing demand around Sanford’s airport and the increasing traffic on the roadways. A study done by CFX suggests the proposed toll road could reduce traffic on East Lake Mary Boulevard by 15,000-17,000 vehicles a day by 2050.
Drivers our News 6 team spoke with in the area Tuesday said they already see congestion most days.
“Rush hour is the worst,” said one man. “And then today, with the rain, people tend to be scared to drive in the rain, so it makes it worse during a regular day.”
Another driver who commutes to Orange County every day said the growing population has certainly added to the traffic, but he moved to Seminole County to get away from the metro.
“It’s really nice up here, and I would hate to lose that,” he said.
Our News 6 team has spoken to people at past meetings concerned about the impact to their neighborhoods and the environment. The preferred route would cut through homes and properties near Mellonville Ave and Pine Way.
“Our remaining wetlands north of Lake Jesup are already fragmented. Wildlife and protected species have fewer places to go,” said Chelsea Lenoble, a resident of the Kensington Reserve neighborhood.
The estimated cost of the project is around $200 million, and even if it gets approved by the board in October, it will still take years for construction to begin.
CFX officials say they are considering public feedback before making a final decision.
Public hearings are being held both in person and virtually. All hearings will present identical information and allow for public comment.
See below for details on how to participate:
Virtual hearing
- Tuesday, July 15
- 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- View presentation and submit written comments and questions via the online meeting platform
In-person hearing
- Thursday, July 17
- Sanford Civic Center
- 401 E. Seminole Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771
- (Exhibits and staff interactions): 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- (Formal presentation and public comment): 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
All comments received or postmarked by July 31 will become part of the hearing record. A court reporter will present at the in-person hearing to take individual comments and to record a formal transcript.