HORIZON WEST, Fla. – Over the past decade, Horizon West has experienced rapid growth, transforming from largely rural land into one of the fastest-growing communities in Central Florida.
With that growth has come growing pains. Residents say traffic congestion has become a daily challenge, prompting Orange County officials to advance several major roadway projects aimed at improving mobility and keeping up with demand.
County leaders say many of the projects are designed through public-private partnerships with area developers and are intended to ease congestion.
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Construction is currently underway on segments five and six of the Flemings Road Extension. Once completed, Flemings Road will be widened from a two-lane rural roadway into a four-lane divided urban road, said to improve east-west travel in the area.
Crews are also extending New Independence Parkway, with approximately one mile of new four-lane roadway connecting Avalon Rd to Wellness Way at the Lake County border.
Darrell Moody, Orange County’s Public Relations and Outreach Specialist, says the combined projects will make a noticeable difference for drivers.
“When Flemings Road is brought online, when New Independence Parkway is brought online, and with the improvements we’re making to Ficquette Road—expanding it from two lanes to four lanes—I would say by the first quarter of 2027, residents will see a significant change in their daily routes,” Moody said.
As part of the Flemings Road construction, Reams Road will also be widened.
Despite the plans, not all residents are convinced the projects will solve the congestion issues.
Bob Condello, who lives near where the long-awaited Ficquette Road widening is happening, worries the changes could create new bottlenecks rather than relieve traffic.
“It’s just going to be another clog,” Condello said. “Make the four lanes go down the other way. I don’t know if fixing the four lanes up to our entrance will make any difference at all.”
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Others living near the New Independence Parkway extension say the construction—though disruptive—is a necessary step forward.
“I think it’s great. It’s needed,” said Tom Jones, a Horizon West resident. “We need to be able to access Highway 27 in a much easier way.”
Both homeowners say they are hopeful the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term inconvenience.
Jones says he hopes the improvements will boost property values. “That’s the name of the game,” he said. “Will this increase or decrease the value of my home?”
Condello added, “I hope they’ve thought it out and made the right decisions for the future.”
Several of the roadway projects are expected to be completed by early 2027. However, Orange County Public Works officials say, with Horizon West continuing to grow, more construction projects are likely in the years ahead.
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