OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County is already facing heavy traffic congestion and because it is expected to worsen, county commissioners are taking steps to address the problem before it escalates further.
Monday, commissioners will consider two significant projects during their meeting.
A study conducted by Osceola County and the city of St. Cloud found that traffic on Canoe Creek Road is expected to double by 2050. To address this, the county plans to widen the road from two lanes to four, which will improve connectivity throughout the city.
William Sanchez, a resident near Canoe Creek Road, described the daily traffic headaches he endures.
“My son goes to St. Cloud High School and, without traffic, it’s like 15 minutes, but with traffic, it’s more than a half an hour, so it’s double the time,” he said.
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The estimated cost for the Canoe Creek Road expansion is $64 million. Today, the county plans to move forward with an application for a $25 million federal grant to help cover some of the cost.
In addition to Canoe Creek Road, the county is focusing on improvements to Buenaventura Boulevard. The Buenaventura Boulevard Safety Improvements and Complete Streets project will enhance the section between Simpson Road and Osceola Parkway.
Monday, the commission will select a construction company to bring the vision to life. Improvements include adding a 12-foot-wide shared-use path, roundabouts to improve traffic flow and pedestrian beacons to enhance street crossing safety.
The Osceola County Commission will discuss both projects during a meeting.
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