LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – After nearly two years of detours, Lake County has approved a construction contract to rebuild a washed-out stretch of Britt Road near Mount Dora, a key connection for residents who say the closure has added time, gas costs and daily frustration to their commutes.
The road has been closed since Hurricane Milton damaged the stretch, cutting off access to a route many drivers used to reach State Road 44.
For nearby resident Dan Hute, the closure has made getting home more expensive and inconvenient.
“Having to be diverted, we’ve got extra mileage, more gas,” Hute said. “It’s just the cost of getting home.”
Patricia Eckels, who also lives in the area, said Britt Road was an important connection for routine trips, including medical appointments.
“I have to tack on 15 to 20 minutes more,” Eckels said. “That might make a big difference if you have a doctor’s appointment.”
News 6 drove the detour and found it took 28 minutes because of a crash on State Road 44. Without the crash, GPS estimated the detour would take about 17 minutes.
With the contract now approved, crews are expected to begin work later this month. The project includes a new 48-inch stormwater pipe, improved drainage and other upgrades intended to help the road better withstand future storms.
County leaders said the delays were not only tied to funding. Before construction could move forward, the county had to secure grants, acquire private property and complete design work.
Lake County spent about $675,000 to purchase the right of way needed for the project using state and local grant funding.
“Hopefully the county has prepared for another storm like this down the road,” Hute said. “It doesn’t make sense to rebuild something if you don’t prepare.”
When the project is finished, Britt Road will have 12-foot-wide lanes, improved drainage and added safety improvements.
County leaders expect the road to reopen by October.
Here are some of the questions we asked Lake County officials about the project:
When is construction expected to begin?
Last Week of July (27-31 sometime)
When is Britt Road expected to reopen?
October 2026
Will the repaired road be stronger or better protected against future storms?
Yes. The repaired Britt Road will be significantly stronger and better protected against future storms through a comprehensive set of roadway, drainage, and erosion control improvements, including:
- Widening the roadway to two 12-foot travel lanes with shoulders to improve safety and increase roadway resilience.
- Reconstructing the pavement and road base to current engineering standards.
- Installing underdrains to capture subsurface groundwater and help protect the roadway foundation.
- Constructing a new 48-inch stormwater pipe to convey runoff from the southwest side of Britt Road to Lake of the Woods, reducing roadway flooding.
- Adding roadside swales and stormwater inlets to capture, collect, and safely convey stormwater runoff.
- Installing a baffle box to remove sediment and pollutants from stormwater before it enters Lake of the Woods, helping protect water quality.
- Constructing an endwall at the stormwater pipe outlet to reduce discharge velocity and minimize erosion.
- Installing fabric-formed concrete and geosynthetic reinforced erosion control matting to stabilize slopes and protect against erosion.
Altogether, these improvements will strengthen Britt Road, improve drainage, reduce erosion, and enhance the roadway’s ability to withstand future storms while providing a safer and more reliable route for the traveling public.
How much of the project will be funded by local taxpayers versus the federal grant?
The entire 1.07 million is funded with federal grants.
Will construction result in any traffic delays or lane closures on nearby roads?
No, since Britt Road is already closed, additional nearby road closures are not needed.
Are there any renderings or conceptual images of what the completed roadway will look like?
An engineering plan is provided herein.
Why has it taken so long to begin these repairs?
Reconstructing Britt Road has required several important steps to ensure the project not only replaces the storm-damaged roadway but also provides a safer, more resilient roadway for the future.
Following the storm, the County worked to secure federal grant funding to help pay for the project, a process that involves detailed applications, reviews, and approvals. The project also required acquiring the necessary right-of-way from adjacent property owners and obtaining federal and state environmental permits before construction could begin.
In addition, engineers developed comprehensive construction plans that go beyond simply replacing what existed before the storm. The project was designed to improve Britt Road by widening the roadway, enhancing drainage, strengthening the roadway foundation, and incorporating erosion control measures to better withstand future storm events.
While these steps extended the project timeline, they were necessary to secure funding, meet regulatory requirements, and deliver a roadway that is safer, more durable, and better equipped to serve the community for years to come.
Are there any other roads in Lake County that are still awaiting hurricane-related repairs?
No
I understand the county purchased land around the roadway to complete this project. Was that acquisition funded by local taxpayer dollars or by grant funding?
The County acquired the necessary right-of-way for approximately $675,000 to complete the Britt Road reconstruction project. The acquisition was funded entirely through federal and state grant funds. No local taxpayer dollars were used to purchase the right-of-way.