ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando’s population is projected to grow by nearly 100,000 people by 2035, with much of that growth expected in southeast Orlando.
The area, which includes Lake Nona, is already experiencing heavy traffic. Narcoossee Road, a major north-south route through southeast Orlando, carries about 70,000 vehicles each day, according to city officials. The road’s intended capacity is slightly more than 50,000 vehicles.
Recommended Videos
“It’s tough. I mean, we like growth, but here it’s overgrown,” said Christine Nieves, who lives in St. Cloud.
Orlando currently has about 350,000 residents. About 143,000 live on the city’s southeast side, and that number is expected to increase by about 50,000 people by 2035.
Orlando District 1 Commissioner Tom Keen said affordability is one of the main reasons people are moving to the southeast area.
“People want to live here in Orlando, and they want to find a place to live that’s affordable — and that’s what this area is able to provide,” Keen said.
Keen said the city needs to add more housing to accommodate the growing population.
“We do need to build more housing stock so that everyone can participate in this great economy,” he said.
But the population increase is also expected to bring more vehicles to an already crowded road network.
“Congestion at all angles — through parking lots, through the main road — any hour of the day,” Nieves said.
City and state officials are planning several projects they say could help ease congestion.
The Boggy Creek Road expansion is expected to widen the road from two lanes to four. The project is expected to be completed within the next year.
State Route 534 is also expected to begin construction later this year or early next year. Keen said the project is expected to be completed by 2030.