Introduction
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is designing improvements for the replacement of the Hempel Avenue Bridge over State Road (SR) 408. The Hempel Avenue Bridge (Bridge #750387) is located in in the Gotha/Ocoee area of Orange County, approximately one-half mile northeast of the Turnpike and SR 408 Interchange.
This project is in Design, which is the third phase of the FDOT project development process. During this phase, construction plans, specifications, and final estimates to build a project are developed.
Bridge replacement is proposed with the goals of:
- Lengthening and raising the bridge to accommodate the widening of SR 408 to four lanes in each direction underneath the bridge.
- Reconstructing the roadway approaches to the bridge with one lane and a sidewalk in each direction from Lake Hugh Drive to Broadway Street.
Noise Studies are performed in both Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study phase and the Design phase, and re-evaluated if there is a major change in design to the roadway.
Project Background
The Widen Florida’s Turnpike from south of SR 408 to SR 50 PD&E Study included the recommendation to replace the Hempel Avenue Bridge over SR 408 to accommodate the proposed improvements underneath the bridge. The Enterprise agrees with this recommendation.
Project Area
Environment
As part of the Widen Turnpike from south of SR 408 to SR 50 PD&E Study, potential impacts to the environment were considered and measures to minimize and mitigate these impacts were incorporated into the project. Based on the recommended design, it was determined that there are no significant impacts associated with the Hempel Avenue Bridge replacement project. As the project continues through design, any new impacts associated with the project will be identified and addressed through the permitting process with the appropriate resource agency.
Innovation
Florida’s Turnpike 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
Schedule is subject to change.
Documents
Stay Connected
Project inquires, comments, innovation/technology ideas, or requests to be added to the project mailing list, can be mailed or emailed to:
Michael Leo, P.E.
Project Manager
Consultant to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
Daniel Jimenez
Community Outreach Specialist
Consultant to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
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).