The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) took a bold step forward today toward building the most innovative and sustainable expressway in the agency’s history. Today CFX officials, local and state leaders, and industry experts broke ground on State Road 516, also known as the Lake/Orange Expressway.
“The Lake/Orange Expressway will be an example of what is possible when we think about transportation into the future,” said Michelle Maikisch, Executive Director of CFX. “Innovation, technology and sustainable elements will make for more efficient and responsible transportation solutions.”
Specifically, SR 516 will:
• Meet anticipated transportation demand for planned growth,
• Support economic viability and job creation for the Lake County Wellness Way Area Plan,
• Include a new public trail being constructed in partnership with Lake County that will connect with Horizon West Town Center, the new Valencia College campus and regional trail systems,
• Feature a wildlife tunnel under US 27 to accommodate the Florida Wildlife Corridor,
• Provide evacuation and emergency services access for emergency events such as hurricanes, and
• Create a sustainable, environmentally-friendly roadway which balances transportation needs with conservation and energy efficiency
SR 516 will include an electrified road pilot that will charge electric vehicles at highway speeds. In partnership with Advancing Sustainability Through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE), CFX will be installing a wireless charging system into three quarters of a mile of one of the travel lanes. The pilot is designed to test specially equipped electric vehicles to inform the industry about how to make road electrification accessible, affordable and more universal across the U.S.
CFX will also construct solar arrays throughout the corridor to offset 100% of the anticipated power usage for roadway and sign lighting, tolling sites and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) equipment.
SR 516 will be the most eco-friendly project delivered by CFX in its history. As such, CFX will pursue platinum level Envision® certification for the project, the gold standard for evaluating sustainability and resiliency for civil infrastructure.
The 4.4 -mile expressway will be built in three segments from SR 429 to US 27 with a targeted completion in 2027. Construction on the first section, located at the Lake/Orange County line to SR 429 just south of Schofield Road will begin in May 2024. Construction on the remaining two segments is anticipated to get underway later this year.