A road widening project in Eatonville aims to ease congestion and improve safety along a busy stretch of Kennedy Boulevard, where some residents say traveling alongside traffic can be dangerous.

Orange County is widening Kennedy Boulevard from All American Boulevard, expanding the road from two lanes to four. The project also calls for sidewalks and bike lanes, which could provide safer options for people who walk, bike or rely on mobility devices to get around.

For Eatonville resident Lazister Walker, the improvements could make everyday trips less stressful.

Walker relies on an electric scooter for transportation. Without sidewalks along the stretch of Kennedy Boulevard near his home at the EKOS apartments, he said he must travel alongside vehicles to reach places such as nearby stores.

Walker said riding near traffic makes him uncomfortable, particularly because he cannot always see what is approaching from behind him.

The planned sidewalks could give Walker and other residents an alternative to traveling directly alongside moving vehicles.

Wanda Randolph, an Eatonville town council member, said the project also could benefit local businesses by drawing more attention to the area.

“It’s going to enable us to have more businesses to get the attention that they need because of their traffic,” Randolph said.

The project is expected to be completed in two phases.

For residents who travel along Kennedy Boulevard, the improvements could provide more options for getting around while addressing concerns about sharing the road with traffic