Introduction
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (Enterprise), part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study for the Poinciana Parkway Extension Connector. This new stretch of roadway will extend about four miles from Osceola-Polk County Line Road/County Road (CR) 532 to north of the Interstate 4 (I-4)/State Road (SR) 429 interchange in Osceola and Polk Counties, Florida.
A separate PD&E Study is being conducted to evaluate the Widening of Western Beltway (SR 429) from four to eight lanes in Osceola and Orange Counties (FPID No.: 446164-1-22-01). For more information on the Widen Western Beltway PD&E Study, please visit www.SR429I-4toSeidel.com.
The PD&E study is the second phase of the FDOT project development process. Each PD&E study requires the combined efforts of professional engineers, planners and scientists, to collect data, develop and evaluate alternatives, conduct studies, prepare reports and gather input from the general public, applicable agencies, and interested parties. The goal of the PD&E process is to develop the best solution which meets the transportation needs and offers the greatest benefit with the least impact.
Key considerations for the study include:
- Enhancing safety
- Improving system linkage
- Improving travel times and reliability
- Improving emergency response times and evacuation
- Completing the “missing link” in the planned regional expressway system
- Enhancing Central Florida’s economic viability
- Avoiding or minimizing impacts to environmental resources
- Coordination with FDOT District 5 to provide consistency with planned improvements to I-4
- Coordination with the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) connection with their current Ponciana Parkway Design project south of CR 532
Noise Studies were performed as part of the PD&E study in the Summer of 2022. The locations of recommended noise walls can be found in the Noise Study Report and Alternative Exhibits. During the Design Phase, final decisions regarding construction of noise walls and their locations will be determined.
Project Background
The PD&E Study evaluates a new limited access facility with six general use lanes (three lanes in each direction) expandable to eight lanes (four lanes in each direction) to match the adjacent CFX Design project, south of CR 532. The project includes modifying the existing interchanges within the project limits:
- CR 532
- I-4/Western Beltway/SR 429
- Western Beltway (SR 429) at Sinclair Road
This Poinciana Parkway Extension Connector will tie into the I-4 interchange as developed by the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate (BtU) approved PD&E study concept plans, including ramp connections to general use lanes. Ramp connections to the I-4 Express Lanes are also evaluated.
The Poinciana Parkway Extension Connector project would connect to the terminus of the proposed Poinciana Parkway at the CR 532 interchange (currently a CFX Design project). It would also ultimately be part of a regional expressway system, connecting I-4 in Osceola County to the SR 417 interchange in eastern Orange County, a distance of approximately 50 miles.
The study team develops and evaluates alternatives to address future traffic needs and provides long-term options for moving people and goods while minimizing impacts. Key study activities include:
- Data Collection
- Traffic Forecasts
- Alternatives Development
- Engineering Analysis
- Environmental Analysis
- Public Outreach / Agency Coordination
The No-Build (No Action) alternative is also analyzed and compared against the Build Alternatives.
For more information regarding the CFX Poinciana Parkway Project, please visit: PD&E Study – Poinciana Parkway Extension | Central Florida Expressway Authority (cfxway.com)
For more information regarding the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate Project, please visit: I-4 Beyond the Ultimate: Building a Better I-4 | I-4 Beyond
Study Area
The study limits are from south of CR 532 in Osceola and Polk Counties, Florida; to north of Sinclair Road in Osceola County. The study team evaluates alignments within the study area as shown in the project location map below.
Environment
The natural environment is a critical foundation of the region’s economy and quality of life. Access to high-quality rivers, parks, forests, and preserves is an important draw for residents and visitors.
FDOT will work collaboratively with its environmental partners to ensure that as new transportation corridors are considered, they are located in places that would not sever important connections in natural systems and are designed to allow wildlife to safely pass.
Innovation
The Enterprise is at the forefront of planning for a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced transportation system for the future. The Enterprise continually seeks opportunities to integrate emerging transportation technologies that can help reduce congestion, create mobility choices, minimize environmental impacts and improve safety. The Enterprise also recognizes that connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies hold unprecedented opportunities for enhancing mobility and increasing safety on our roadways.
If you have an idea for a technology or innovation that you would like to be considered as part of this study, please reach out to one of the contacts in the Stay Connected section below.
Schedule
The Poinciana Parkway Extension Connector PD&E Study began in January 2021. Key dates are the Public Kick-off Meeting June 2021, Public Information Meeting February 2022, Public Hearing Spring 2023, and the PD&E Study is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2023.
Documents
- Title VI
- NEPA
- Project Location Map
- Project Development Process
- Project Needs
- Peak Period Traffic
- Crash Map 1 – I-4 and SR 429
- Crash Map 2 – CR 532 and US 17/92
- Regional Expressway System
- Projects within Study Area
- Effects Evaluation
- Preferred Alternative – Along I-4
- Preferred Alternative – PPEC North
- Preferred Alternative – PPEC South
- Rendering 1
- Rendering 2
- Rendering 3
- Evaluation Matrix
- Schedule
- Contact
- Air Quality Technical Memo
- Conceptual Stage Relocation
- Contamination Screen Evaluation
- Environmental Assessment Report
- Geotechnical Technical Memo
- Location Hydraulics Report
- Natural Resources Evaluation
- Noise Study Report
- Pond Siting Report
- Preliminary Engineering Report
- Section 4(f) Memo
- Sociocultural Effects Evaluation
- Utility Assessment Report
- Open House Video
- Welcome
- Orientation Video
- Project Location Map
- Existing Aerial Boards I4
- Existing Aerial Boards North
- Existing Aerial Boards South
- Other Projects within Study Vicinity
- Project Needs
- Regional Expressway System
- Traffic 1 – Existing Conditions (Crash History)
- Traffic 2 – No Build vs Build Travel Patterns
- Project Development Process
- Effects Evaluation
- Schedule
- Title VI Compliance
- Contact Information
- NEPA Assignment
- Project Presentation
- Project Development Process
- Study Area Map – Project Location
- Project Needs
- Crash Heat Map #1 (I-4 and SR 429)
- Crash Heat Map #2 (Us 17-92 and CR 532)
- Regional Expressway System
- Travel Patterns
- Concept Alternative #1 – North
- Concept Alternative #1 – Middle
- Concept Alternative #1 – South
- Concept Alternative #2 – North
- Concept Alternative #2 – Middle
- Concept Alternative #2 – South
- Traffic – AM
- Traffic – PM
- Other Projects Within Study Area
- Effects Evaluation
- Schedule
- NEPA Assignment
- Title VI Compliance
- Contact Information
- Alternatives Public Meeting Video
Stay Connected
Project inquires, comments, innovation/technology ideas, or requests to be added to the project mailing list, can be mailed or emailed to:
Keith Slater
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, Public Information Office using the contact information below:
Daniel Jimenez
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (WSP USA)
If you choose to provide feedback on this site or in an email, such information is a public record under Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Laws and available for public inspection upon demand. Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status.
If you need special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or require translation services (free of charge), please contact the Project Manager using the contact information listed on this page. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 955-8770 (voice).
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the Florida Department of Transportation pursuant to 23 United States Code Section 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016 and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.