A $20 million road project could bring major changes to one of Apopka’s most congested corridors.

Ocoee-Apopka Road, from Harmon Road to South Hawthorne Avenue, is expected to be widened from two lanes to four. The project also includes multi-use paths, bike lanes, improved drainage and smart lighting.

The nearly 2-mile stretch serves Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden and unincorporated parts of Orange County.

For drivers, the road can become especially difficult when crashes occur because there are few alternate routes.

“It backs up quite a bit — even in the mornings with morning traffic,” Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta said. “Without an accident, it will happen.”

Melanie Herrera, who works at Mecatos Bakery and Café along the road, said her commute can take about 30 minutes.

“I take like 30 minutes to get to work and a lot of the time it’s spent on this road,” Herrera said.

The project is currently scheduled for construction in 2027 and 2028, but the Florida Department of Transportation is requesting that the work be moved up.

Nesta said the improvements are important as development continues in the area, including the construction of a new hospital.

“It is integral to making our projects successful through all the new development down there,” Nesta said. “We want to take control.”

The mayor said the project must account for both current traffic and future growth.

“At the end of the day, we want to make sure we get it right,” Nesta said. “We are planning not just for now, but the future as well.”

The project is expected to cost more than $20 million, with much of the funding coming from federal sources.

MetroPlan Orlando is expected to receive an update on the project at its meeting Wednesday.