Drivers in Orange County may soon get some relief at one of the area’s more congested exit ramps.
A $14.5 million Florida Department of Transportation project is underway to improve the southbound exit off State Road 429 onto U.S. 192, near the Osceola County border.
The exit ramp is being extended by 2,800 feet to add a new lane designed to ease congestion. Three right-turn lanes and two left-turn lanes will also be created.
The area is home to resorts, hotels, and numerous businesses, making the intersection a high-traffic corridor for tourists and locals alike. Luis Carrasquillo, who works at Orlando’s Barbershop near the intersection, said congestion is a daily reality.
“That is a really hard experience here. It’s really busy all the time,” Carrasquillo said.
He added the backup is a constant issue for people in the area.
“So far it’s always a lot of traffic,” he said.
The goal of the project is to improve traffic flow while supporting regional mobility for drivers, businesses and nearby residents. Carrasquillo said any improvement would be welcome.
“Yeah, anything that can fix it. It’ll be amazing,” he said. “It’s pretty hard out there.”
In addition to new lanes, the project includes new lighting, signage and other systems intended to make the area safer and more efficient for drivers. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
For more information on the project, click here.