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The Neptune Road widening and improvement project is divided into two segments: from Kings Crest Road west to Partin Settlement Road and east to U.S. 192. MAP/OSCEOLA COUNTY
Another major Osceola County thoroughfare is going under construction.
The county’s $107 million widening and improvement project on Neptune Road—that artery used by all those people to connect to the west side of St. Cloud and downtown Kissimmee to avoid the multiple signals on U.S. Highway 192— began last week.
The project consists of two segments: 1.4 miles from Partin Settlement Road to Kings Crest Road (“Neptune Road North”), passing in front of the Kindred community and Kings Crest Road to U.S. 192 (“Neptune Road South”), passing Tohoqua.
The northern portion will expand from two to four lanes and add a 22-foot median, four-foot bike lane and 12-foot shared-use path on both sides of the road, and will widen Cross Prairie Parkway to provide a 4-foot traffic separator and designated dual left turn lanes.
According to the county, the project is scheduled to take about two years to complete.
Neptune Road South, a 2.6-mile stretch, will extend the Neptune Road North improvements to Old Canoe Creek Road. From Old Canoe Creek Road to U.S. 192, the plan includes a four-lane roadway and an 11-foot center left turn lane, a 10-foot planting strip on both sides where possible, a 10-foot shared use path on the north side, and a six-foot sidewalk on the south side and a new bridge over the Florida Turnpike and the C-31 canal. New traffic signals are planned on U.S. 192 at Neptune Road to provide a new left turn and access point for a cell tower.
Ames Haven Road, which runs north and west of Neptune Middle School will be realigned and receive a signal. Sergeant Graham Drive, and Old Canoe Creek Road will get new turn lanes for getting on Neptune Road, and the Betsy Ross Lane connection used by buses into Neptune Elementary will be reconstructed.
The progress for this busy section “is anticipated to take approximately three years to complete,” county officials say.
“The Neptune Road expansion is long overdue. I’m pleased that we’re moving forward with this vital step forward to relieve congestion in the region and enhance safety—not just for motorists but also for pedestrians,” said Osceola County Commission Chair Cheryl Grieb, whose district 4 includes the road. “Neptune Road is a vital piece of our transportation infrastructure. As our county experiences sustained growth, this project and others underway are integral to the ongoing improvement of that transportation infrastructure, ensuring smoother journeys for all.”
While traffic slows at drive time along Neptune, especially in the current two-lane segment, construction and changing traffic patterns as the work progresses will likely do the same, so drivers should remain aware during the work.
Continuing project information is available from the county online at www.osceola.org/go/neptuneroad. For project construction-related questions, call the project hotline at 407-710-0050 or email Neptune_Road@qcausa.com.
Neptune becomes another of Osceola County’s heavily-use arterial roads that are currently being expanded or improved, joining Simpson Road, Partin Settlement Road, Boggy Creek Road, Cyrils Drive and Poinciana Boulevard.
