The latest project in what will total nearly $2 billion in transportation improvements over the next five years is expected to receive County Commission approval for design, right-of-way and construction on April 5.
The Boggy Creek Road project involves adding capacity to a 5.9-mile section of the road from Simpson Road to Narcoossee Road – and is one of five major road projects the County identified under its $200 million “Osceola Roads” initiative.
Ultimately, almost $2 billion will be spent on transportation over the next five years by the county, Florida’s Turnpike, the Florida Department of Transportation and CFX, County transportation officials said in a recent workshop. The about $1.4 billion investment from its partners demonstrates collaborative approach the County has taken to vastly improve its network.
“This commission has made it crystal clear to staff that they need to find ways to fund much-needed transportation projects in order to improve the lives of residents,” said Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “And they are meeting the challenge through innovative funding and partnerships at the regional, state and federal level. Transportation projects of this scope create immediate jobs, while laying a strong foundation for future economic growth and easing the burden on people as they live, work, learn and play here.”
Boggy Creek is an example of a road in need of improvements. Average traffic volumes range from 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day on the road. The work will address congestion, improve traffic operations and safety, provide additional options for pedestrians and bicyclists, improve drainage and identify access management opportunities while minimizing impacts to the environment and adjacent properties.
During the recent workshop it was noted that Osceola County’s 5 percent growth rate from April 2019 to April 2020 far outpaced those of Orange (2 percent) and Seminole (1 percent) counties.
Being the Osceola County is the fastest growing county in Central Florida – and one of the fastest in the nation – brings challenges, but county commissioners said they are committed to using all available resources and leveraging shovel ready projects to acquire grants to facilitate these projects.
'Osceola Roads' project update
- Construction for Phase 1 of Simpson Road is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year with $14 million in FDOT funding. The design of phases 2, 3 and 4 is underway with right-of-way acquisition to begin in the third quarter of this year.
- Bill Beck Boulevard – construction anticipated Fall 2021 for new two-lane road of .7 miles from Osceola Parkway to Woodcrest Boulevard.
- Partin Settlement Road: Design underway.
- Neptune Road: Design underway with right-of-way acquisition scheduled to begin in the second quarter of this year.
- Poinciana Boulevard: Design underway and right-of-way acquisition anticipated to begin at the end of the year.
Transportation has many other ongoing projects – including the Fortune Road-Lakeshore Trail, the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Trail, numerous sidewalk and intersection improvement projects and the Buenaventura Boulevard Complete Streets study.
County officials said that schedules are subject to change. For more information on transportation projects, go to www.osceola.org/osceola-roads.
