OCOEE, FL (November 19 2009) — Florida’s Turnpike announces lane closures and work zone information for construction and maintenance projects in Central Florida beginning Sunday, November 22, 2009.

Florida’s Turnpike strives to maintain traffic flow in work zones; however, motorists may encounter heavier traffic near construction sites.  Motorists should drive with caution through the work zones, and adhere to posted detour signs and speed limits.  Speeding fines double in construction zones when workers are present.  All paving-related lane closures are dependent on weather conditions; rain may delay or cancel paving operations.

All regularly scheduled construction and maintenance-related lane closures and restrictions on Florida’s Turnpike-operated roads are suspended from 6 a.m., Wednesday, November 25 to 10 p.m., Monday, November 30 in anticipation of heavy traffic volumes.  Motorists should expect heavy congestion at the mainline toll plazas on the busiest travel days, and be prepared for sudden, intermittent stops, especially near the Leesburg (milepost 288), Three Lakes (milepost 236) and Lake Worth/Lantana (milepost 88) mainline toll plazas.  Lane closures resume at 10 p.m., Monday, November 30 as follows:

OTHER PROJECTS

Beachline West Expressway
BEE LINE WEST WIDENING (Mileposts 4-8)

• Be alert for single lane closures westbound , 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., and eastbound from 10 p.m to 5:30 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays on the Beachline between mileposts 4 and 8.
• Watch for ramp closures at exit 4 (Orange Blossom Trail).  Contractors are painting the bridge.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  The $49 million project to widen the Beachline from the Turnpike (Milepost 4.3) to McCoy Road continues.  Improvements include widening the existing bridge structures at US 441, Landstreet Road, CSX Railroad, CSX Railroad Taft Yard, Orange Avenue and McCoy Road.  A new bridge will also be constructed for the access ramp over the CSX Railroad.  This project is scheduled for completion in spring of 2011.

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ORANGE COUNTY

TURNPIKE WIDENING PROJECT—INTERSTATE 4 TO GOTHA ROAD (MILEPOSTS 259-265)

• Motorists should be alert for construction vehicles entering and exiting traffic at several locations along the project.
• Be alert for lane shifts, both north- and southbound through the project limits, especially those near the SR 408 ramp to northbound Turnpike, and the SR 429 ramps to southbound Turnpike.
• Construction activities continue from the I-4 bridges to north of the Turkey Lake Service Plaza at Gotha Rd.   
• Motorists on Kirkman Road should be alert for single lane closures in both directions between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sundays.
• Be alert for daytime lanes closures on Gotha Road, 10 a.m. to 3 pm., Monday through Friday, except for Wednesday, when lane closures are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Motorists should be alert for flagging operations, as well as intermittent day- and nighttime closures in both directions on Apopka-Vineland Road.
• Watch for a steep traffic shift at the southbound off-ramp to Interstate 4 (exit 259).
• Motorists traveling on Interstate 4 should be alert for overnight, single lane closures, both east- and westbound at the Turnpike overpass, between Conroy and Kirkman.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  This $128.6 million project adds two lanes in each direction between Interstate 4 and the SR 408 Interchange.  Construction includes widening the existing bridges over Interstate 4 and Apopka-Vineland Road, and replacing the Kirkman Road and Gotha Road bridges over the Turnpike.  Additionally, improvements will be made at the Interstate 4 and SR 408 (East-West Expressway) interchanges.  This project is scheduled to be complete in August 2010.  Click here for a map of soundwall installation locations.

TURNPIKE WIDENING PROJECT – SR. 408 TO NORTH OF BEULAH ROAD (MILEPOST 265-270)

• No overnight lane closures are scheduled next week.
• Watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting traffic at several locations along the project. 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  This $68.8 million project consists of widening of Florida’s turnpike (SR 91) from four to eight lanes and six to 12 lanes from milepost 266 to milepost 269 in Orange County.  The construction includes widening of the bridges over Beulah Rd. and reconstruction of the State Road 50 connector bridge over Florida’s Turnpike, resurfacing existing pavement, construction of storm water retention ponds, signing and marking, lighting, landscaping, sound barriers, ITS and utilities.  This project is expected to be complete in August 2010.

TURNPIKE WIDENING PROJECT—BEULAH ROAD TO STATE ROAD 50 (MILEPOSTS 270-273)

• Be alert for single lane closures near Avalon Road, both north- and southbound, Sundays through Thursdays, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.  Intermittent rolling operations are possible while moving equipment across the highway.
• Be prepared for single lane closures on State Road 50, both east- and westbound, Sundays through Thursdays from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• The long-term closure of the Winter Garden-Vineland bridge over the Turnpike will continue at least through late fall.  The bridge must be reconstructed to accommodate the widening of the Turnpike.  Local residents are encouraged to use Daniels Road as the detour route to reach the businesses located on State Road 50.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  This $123.5 million project consists of widening of Florida’s turnpike (SR 91) from four to eight lanes between Beulah Road and State Road 50 near milepost 272.  The project also includes adding an additional lane in each direction on State Road 50, with capacity for future widening as well.  The replacement of the bridges at Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Avalon Road and at State Road 50 is included.  The interchange will be reconfigured to a diamond style, replacing the current partial-loop interchange and includes open road tolling (ORT) SunPass-only lanes.  This project also includes the installation of noise abatement walls on Department right-of-way for qualifying property owners adjacent to the Turnpike.  This project will be complete in the summer of 2012.

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OSCEOLA COUNTY

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LAKE COUNTY

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POLK COUNTY

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