OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – One of Central Florida’s most dangerous roads is finally getting a safety overhaul.
Michigan Avenue in Osceola County, a stretch long known for pedestrian and bicycle crashes, is set for major improvements after years of funding delays stalled the project.
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“Very dangerous street,” said William Pentz, a pedestrian who regularly navigates the road.
With limited crosswalks, crowded bus stops and speeding drivers, crossing Michigan Avenue has long been a gamble for pedestrians and cyclists. A traffic study identified the corridor as having a high number of crashes and fatalities.
Glen McNealy, another pedestrian who uses the road regularly, said the dangers are hard to avoid, even when following the rules.
“It’s really busy, and it’s pretty hazardous to people,” McNealy said. “[Drivers are] speeding. They’re on their phones usually. The guy that almost hit me was on his phone.”
McNealy said he always waits for a crosswalk rather than crossing mid-block, but even that hasn’t kept him out of harm’s way.
“I’ve almost been hit there two times in the crosswalk while I’m where I was supposed to be, with the light,” he said.
While the improvement project was stalled because of funding in 2021, the county now says it is fully funded thanks to a Department of Housing and Urban Development grant awarded in 2023 and federal funds from the Local Agency Program.
Planned changes at six intersections along 2.74 miles of Michigan Avenue, between U.S. 192 and Osceola Parkway, include upgraded pedestrian crosswalks, new sidewalks and updated traffic signals.
McNealy said greater visibility for pedestrians at crossings would make a real difference.
“Oh, it’d be excellent because I’ve seen people almost get hit too. People cross like when they’re not supposed to in certain areas. I wait for the crosswalk, but like I said, that’s even dangerous,” he said.
Construction is set to begin next year. For more information on the project, click here.