ORLANDO, Fla. – On Trooper Steve on Patrol, we’re taking a drive through an area that used to make just about every trooper cringe when a crash call came out.
Sand Lake Road and Turkey Lake Road.
Back when I was patrolling the roads as a state trooper, anytime dispatch sent you to that area, you already knew two things: the crash was probably serious, and getting there was going to take a while.
The congestion around Sand Lake Road near I-4 has always been one of the busiest and most frustrating traffic areas in Central Florida. Between tourism traffic, local drivers, and constant backups, simply getting through the intersection could become a challenge all by itself.
But now, the area has a completely different feel.
One of the biggest changes is the new dedicated Turkey Lake Road ramp, which helps separate traffic and allows drivers heading toward Turkey Lake to avoid some of the congestion that used to build up around Sand Lake Road.
And honestly? I love it.
As somebody who spent years responding to crashes in that corridor, it’s nice seeing traffic flow improvements that not only make driving easier, but can also help emergency responders get where they need to go faster.
On this patrol, I wanted to show you what the redesign looks like from the driver’s perspective and walk you through some of the biggest changes in the area.
If you’ve driven through there recently, you’ve probably already noticed the difference.
Check out this edition of Trooper Steve on Patrol.