Work on the Fortune Lakeshore Trail, a 10-foot wide multi-use trail that will run along Fortune Road and East Lakeshore Boulevard from U.S. Highway 192 to an existing St. Cloud trail head, will begin early this year — eventually.
While actual start dates are uncertain because of supply chain issues, a Toho Water Authority utility crew will soon start marking the area for “soft digs” to relocate utilities.
As part of the $9 million project, contractor Southern Development & Construction will build a 10-foot wide multi-use trail from U.S. 192 to just west of the intersection at East Lakeshore Boulevard and Columbia Avenue, a length of approximately seven miles. It is a Federal-aid funded project through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Local Agency Program (LAP).
The project will include new trail construction, removal of existing sidewalk, a new pedestrian bridge over the St. Cloud Canal, construction of ditches and storm drains to improve drainage, intersection improvements at signalized intersections (U.S. 192, Shake Rag Road, Bill Beck Boulevard, Lakeside Drive, and Partin Settlement Road), and improvements to pedestrian crossings at non-signalized intersections to ensure safety of multiple users and connectivity to a larger pedestrian network.
Existing crosswalks will be restriped at 11 locations where the trail crosses a side street. Five new crosswalks will be added along Fortune Road and Lakeshore Boulevard. The new pedestrian bridge over the C-31 Canal will be 145 feet long and 10 feet wide, with 40-45 foot-long ramps on either end and guardrails along both the bridge and the ramps.
The project will span from County Commission Districts 2 to 4.
“Adding options for safe cycling is a great asset for our community – whether you want to get out for recreation or are looking for options for your commute,” said District 2 Commissioner Viviana Janer. “The trail will provide missing connectivity in a portion of the County that really needs it.”
“This is a significant project which expands our trail network and will allow residents to enjoy safer cycling options – and eventually it will also connect to the planned bike path along the St. Cloud canal, making for a natural connection to Downtown Kissimmee via Neptune and continuing all the way to Shingle Creek,” said District 4 Commissioner Cheryl Grieb.
Residents in the area will be receiving information via a “door-hanger” on the construction planned for the coming months. Residents with questions should call 407-683-3928.
