Introduction
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is conducting a Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study for widening the Western Beltway/State Road (SR) 429. The study limits extend along the Western Beltway from north of the I-4/SR 429 Interchange to Seidel Road, in Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida. As part of the study, all interchanges within the project limits and the need for a new interchange are being evaluated.
A separate PD&E Study is being conducted to evaluate the Poinciana Parkway Extension (FPID No.: 446581-1-22-01), a new roadway proposed to connect CR 532 to the I-4/SR 429 interchange in Osceola and Polk Counties. For more information on the Poinciana Parkway Extension PD&E Study, please visit www.PoincianaExtension.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
- Increasing the capacity of the Western Beltway to accommodate future 2050 traffic volumes
- Improving travel times and reliability
- Improving emergency response times and evacuation
- Enhancing Central Florida’s economic viability
- Avoiding or minimizing impacts to environmental resources
- Addressing planning consistency with MetroPlan Orlando
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 Western Beltway currently has four general use toll lanes (two lanes in each direction), within the study limits. Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise has identified the need to widen (add capacity to) this portion of the Western Beltway to enhance safety, accommodate forecasted traffic volumes of freight and passenger vehicles generated by anticipated growth in Orange and Osceola Counties, and to improve emergency response times and evacuation for the year 2050.
The PD&E Study is evaluating widening the Western Beltway to eight lanes. The improvements to this section of the Western Beltway would be designed with the goal of utilizing the existing right of way where feasible.
The project would also include milling and resurfacing, bridge construction, conversion of cash tolls to electronic tolls, and improvements and modifications to the existing interchanges within the project limits:
- Sinclair Road
- US 192
- Western Way
- Seidel Road
A new access (interchange) location is being evaluated at Livingston Road. This new interchange would improve mobility in the area and relieve congestion at US 192.
The No-Build (No Action) alternative is also being analyzed and compared against the Build Alternatives.
Study Area
The study limits are along the Western Beltway (SR 429) from north of the I-4/SR 429 Interchange to Seidel Road in Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida. A study area map is provided below:
Environment
The natural environment is a critical foundation of the region’s economy and quality of life. The study area is located in a highly developed region of Orange and Osceola Counties surrounded by residential, commercial, and industrial land uses. No significant impacts are anticipated to high-quality natural areas, public parks, or preserves.
The project’s potential effect on social, cultural, natural, and physical resources will be identified, along with potential mitigation measures. A State Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) is the expected level of environmental documentation for this project.
Innovation
FTE is at the forefront of planning for a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced transportation system for the future. FTE continually seeks opportunities to integrate emerging transportation technologies that can help reduce congestion, create mobility choices, minimize environmental impacts and improve safety. FTE 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
- Air Quality Technical Memo
- Contamination Screening Evaluation Report
- Location Hydraulics Report
- Natural Resources Evaluation Report
- Noise Study Report
- Pond Siting Report
- Preliminary Engineering Report
- SocioCultural Effects Evaluation
- State Environmental Impact Report
- Systems Interchange Justification Report
- Utilities Assessment Plan
- Project Location Map
- Project Development Process
- Project Needs
- Regional Expressway System
- 2050 AM Traffic Comparison
- 2050 PM Traffic Comparison
- Projects within Study Area
- Alternative Concept Board – Sinclair Road
- Alternative Concept Board – Livingston Road and US 192
- Alternative Concept Board – Western Way
- Alternative Concept Board – Seidel
- Effects Evaluation
- Effects Matrix
- Schedule
- Title VI
- Contact
- Air Quality Technical Memorandum
- Contamination Screen Evaluation Report
- Location Hydraulics Report
- Natural Resources Evaluation
- Noise Study Draft
- Pond Siting Report
- Preliminary Engineering Report
- Preliminary Engineering Report Appendix A
- Preliminary Engineering Report Appendix B
- Preliminary Engineering Report Appendix C
- Preliminary Engineering Report Appendix D
- Preliminary Engineering Report Appendix E
- Sociocultural Effects Evaluation
- State Environment Impact Report
- Utility Assessment Report
- Project Development Process
- Project Location Map
- Project Needs
- Crash History
- Traffic
- Regional Expressway System
- Alternative Concept Board – Sinclair Road
- Alternative Concept Board – Livingston Road and US192
- Alternative Concept Board – Western Way
- Alternative Concept Board – Seidel
- Projects Near Study Area
- Effects Evaluation
- Schedule
- Title VI
- Contact
- Public Hearing Video
- Alternatives Public Meeting Video
- Turnpike Traffic Noise Video
- FDOT Right of Way Video
- Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Technology Video
- PD&E Process 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:
Michael Leo, P.E.
Project Manager
Consultant to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
Rax Jung, PH.D, P.E.
Project Development Engineer
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, Public Information Office using the contact information below:
Daniel Jimenez
Community Outreach Specialist
Consultant to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
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).