Motorists seeing construction work at U.S. 441 and State Road (S.R.) 46 in the Mount Dora area, should be prepared for an upcoming temporary traffic pattern change. In February, all U.S. 441 traffic, and some traffic on S.R. 46 at night, will be diverted along the S.R. 46 southbound on- and off-ramps as part of the Wekiva Parkway/S.R. 429 project. This temporary change also includes a traffic signal at S.R. 46 (see exhibit attached.)
The traffic diversion will allow crews to rebuild this portion of U.S. 441 (shown as the red hashed area in the graphic), which includes removing the overpass bridges. During the nighttime removal of the U.S. 441 bridges, S.R. 46 traffic also will shift onto the nearby temporary pavement. Construction will start with removing the U.S. 441 bridges and building the east side, or future northbound lanes, and the new flyover bridge. Once the east side/future northbound lanes are complete, traffic will switch onto those new lanes while work begins on the west side, or the new southbound lanes.
Post-construction (see attached), the U.S. 441 and S.R. 46 interchange will be an at-grade/ground level, signalized intersection with a flyover ramp that will provide continuous traffic flow for southbound traffic heading east on S.R. 46 toward the parkway.
Once the new outside northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 441 have been built, traffic will be split to allow building the median and turn lanes.
This work is part of the Wekiva Parkway Sections 3A and 3B construction that began on October 30, 2017, and is scheduled to finish in spring of 2020.
More Project Information
The $1.6 billion Wekiva Parkway will complete the beltway around Central Florida while helping to protect the natural resources surrounding the Wekiva River. The Florida Department of Transportation and the Central Florida Expressway Authority have been working together to build the 25-mile toll road, which provides travel alternatives, enhances safety and relieves congestion on local roads.
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 four expansive wildlife bridges, and will be largely elevated to reduce accidents between vehicles and wildlife.
Inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances could delay or prolong work. Motorists are urged to use caution in the construction area for their safety and that of the work crews.
Maps and other project information can be found at wekivaparkway.com.