OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Traveling from St. Cloud to Kissimmee can take about an hour and a half in heavy traffic, according to local truck driver Eric Valderramo.
“It’s miserable knowing that same trip is only 45 minutes when it’s clear,” he said.
Valderramo isn’t alone in his aggravation. Many residents share his concerns about traffic congestion.
Osceola County Development Administrator Raymond Stangle noted that people can expect relief in a couple of years as the county plans to build more roads, funded by increased mobility fees paid by developers.
The recent increase in mobility fees, which rose from around $10,000 to between $18,000 and $21,000 per new single-family home, was approved by the Osceola Board of County Commissioners last September and took effect on June 18.
[WATCH previous coverage of mobility fee plan in Osceola County]
Stangle emphasized the importance of these fees for infrastructure development.
Several road projects are underway, including significant improvements to Neptune Road, a major east-west corridor between Kissimmee and St. Cloud. The construction is currently in progress, with impact fees financing the enhancement.
[VIDEO: Road improvements coming to Kissimmee area]