Wekiva Parkway
The landscape sure is changing around town! The Wekiva Parkway is being developed jointly by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX). CFX is finishing the last of five parkway sections, totaling 10 miles and more than $270 million in construction costs.
The entire parkway through Lake, Orange and Seminole counties is anticipated to be open to traffic by early 2022.
This estimated $1.6 billion project includes $500 million of non-toll road improvements including:
- Widening seven (7) miles of SR 46 in Lake and Seminole Counties
- Rebuilding the US 441/SR 46 interchange in Mount Dora
- Shifting the CR 46A connection to SR 46 out of the Seminole State Forest so wildlife can move more safely between habitats
- Providing non-tolled, one-lane service roads parallel to the parkway in part of east Lake and Seminole Counties
- Building a 10-mile, multi-use trail along portions of the parkway in east Lake and Seminole counties
Environmentalists refer to the Wekiva Parkway as a good example of transportation planning through environmentally sensitive areas. Authorized by the 2004 Wekiva Parkway & Protection Act, parkway development has included conserving more than 3,400 acres of land. The parkway will include three wildlife bridges and a new, high-profile bridge over the Wekiva River. The wildlife bridges will contribute to safer and enhanced wildlife passage between the Seminole State Forest, Rock Springs Run Reserve and the Lower Wekiva River Preserve. The parkway will be largely elevated to reduce accidents between vehicles and wildlife.
Follow along for construction updates and grand opening events on Wekiva Parkway’s Facebook page.