OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County is looking for public input on its plans to widen Old Lake Wilson Road, a busy two-lane street that drivers say often has bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The project will expand over 2 miles of the road, including an overpass crossing I-4. Residents and commuters can share their opinions about the plan during public meetings happening this week.
“Traffic on Lake Wilson Road is bad in the morning coming this way, and in the evening, it’s bad coming this way,” Vic Hill told News 6.
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Osceola County and the Florida Department of Transportation are collaborating to turn the road from two lanes into four.
“I think they got to, they have to,” Hill added.
Some drivers agree the expansion is needed.
“If it’s four lanes, I definitely agree that it would be quicker than two,” Kelly Sepulveda said.
The 2.5-mile stretch will be divided between Osceola County and FDOT. The county will improve the segment between County Road 532 and Assembly Court, while FDOT will handle the section from Assembly Court to Sinclair Road.
“I definitely think it would be beneficial to widen the road just because I have seen a little bit of traffic there. I don’t take it too often, but the times that I have had to take it, it has been pretty backed up, especially from Walmart. That’s all the way down there and up to like all the new developments that they’re opening up, up ahead,” Jessica Zapf said.
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The project also includes improvements to the bridge over I-4, which is part of FDOT’s segment.
“The hardest thing is going to be that overpass. It’s going to take some time,” Hill said.
Both segments will add new bicycle and pedestrian features to create safer options for walking and biking. Osceola County’s portion will also include a new traffic signal at Spine Road, modifications to the Excitement Drive intersection, drainage and stormwater ponds, a bridge crossing at Davenport Creek and enhanced street lighting. These improvements aim to enhance safety and improve traffic flow along the corridor.
“I think it’s great. I think it’s great because it helps everyone who’s trying to get to work and back home to get or to pick up their kids from school, to get there quicker and safer,” Sepulveda said.
The county will hold an in-person public meeting Wednesday night from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Mystic Dunes Golf Club, 7850 Shadow Tree Lane, Kissimmee.
Attendees will be able to view a looping presentation, project displays, speak with project team members, and provide comments. A virtual meeting will follow on Thursday, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information, click here.