If you live in East Orange County, you’re well aware that some of the region’s major roadways are currently a work in progress. Once finished, these projects will be able to easily handle the increased traffic flow; but until then, I am often asked by area residents what’s going on with the various projects and what changes they can expect to happen in the immediate future. I put together the below update to answer a few of the questions my office commonly encounters. As always, if you still have a question or an issue, feel free to contact me at any time.
Jennifer Thompson, Orange County Commissioner of District 4, moderates a community meeting in Stoneybrook regarding the South Alafaya Trail Widening project.
Alafaya Trail
I held a community meeting at Stoneybrook East last month and, as you can imagine, most of what was discussed involved the construction on South Alafaya Trail. More than 50 people attended the meeting and shared many of their personal concerns
with the road including speeding, pot holes and lane shifts. We were able to address many of the concerns and find resolutions in a variety of ways. You’ll be happy to know the road is slightly ahead of schedule and is on pace to be completed in late 2013. If you would like updates on the construction of Alafaya Trail, please email me at Jennifer.Thompson@OCFL.net.
Woodbury Road / Lake Underhill
A new apartment community by Camden is moving forward on the corner of Woodbury Road and Waterford Lakes Parkway, behind Waterford Lakes Town Center. The addition of this community will bring further demands on Woodbury Road between Lake Underhill and East Colonial. Woodbury is currently scheduled for improvements in 2020 and there are no plans to move that date forward at this time. However, Lake Underhill Road from Alafaya Trail to Woodbury is scheduled for resurfacing in the very near future. As soon as I have a timeline, I will be sure to it share with the community. We will be working to complete this needed project
while disrupting traffic flow as little as possible.
Thompson, fourth from left, and staff stopped by the Orange County 3-1-1 offices to thank the staff there for continuing to attend community meetings and for helping District 4 residents resolve their issues.
Traffic Study / Analysis
Orange County Public Works has indicated to me that there will be an area-wide traffic analysis conducted in East Orange County. Study boundaries are being evaluated now but will most likely be somewhere between East Colonial Drive south to Avalon Park from Alafaya Trail to Avalon Park Boulevard. The goal of the study is to identify and prioritize levels of traffic problems in our community.
Traffic Signals
I have requested several traffic studies be conducted to see if new traffic signals are warranted to improve safety on two busy roadways. The County is currently evaluating the traffic patterns at the corner of Narcoossee Road and Kirby Smith Road. Additionally, we are evaluating traffic patterns north of Waterford Lakes Town Center to see if a signal is warranted at the intersection of the Toys “R” Us on Alafaya Trail.
New Businesses in Our Community
Although this doesn’t have to do with traffic, I wanted to note that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and District 4 has seen a handful of new businesses open this past month. Congratulations on the opening of the Primrose School in Waterford Lakes, the expansions/second locations for both Eastside Bistro and Avalon All Star Cuts and the grand opening of the new Bahama Breeze in the Waterford area.
