As Part of Building the Wekiva Parkway
Crews are scheduled Wednesday night, Aug. 28, from 8 p.m. – 6:30 a.m., to conduct single lane closures on State Road (S.R.) 46 from River Oaks Circle to Longwood Markham Road as part of building the Wekiva Parkway (S.R. 429). Traffic in both directions will be alternated through one lane.
The lane closures will allow crews to pave temporary lanes in preparation for major traffic changes that will split the two, S.R. 46 travel lanes around part of the work zone. This change will allow crews to build the eastbound service road and related improvements.
Those traffic pattern changes will go into effect on Thursday night, Aug. 29, from 8 p.m. – 6:30 a.m., and will remain in place for several months. Drivers should be aware of the following changes beginning early Friday morning, Aug. 30:
- Westbound S.R. 46 traffic will shift onto temporary lanes along the north side of the work zone from River Oaks Circle to Longwood Markham Road.
- Eastbound S.R. 46 traffic will shift onto what was previously the westbound lane along that stretch of road.
- Motorists on Wekiva Park Drive will have a new stop bar from which to turn onto the temporary westbound S.R. 46 lane. They will have to cross a new median area to get to the eastbound S.R. 46 lane.
- Traffic on Osprey Hammock Trail will shift onto a new temporary entrance to S.R. 46. Motorists on this side street will be able to turn right onto eastbound S.R. 46. Flaggers will direct motorists that want to go westbound on S.R. 46. A new crossing is planned to be complete by Aug. 30.
Electronic message boards have been posted. Please note construction schedules may change due to weather, or other circumstances.
This work is part of Wekiva Parkway Section 6, which began construction on Oct. 17, 2017. The six-mile stretch of largely elevated expressway will extend along the S.R. 46 corridor from the S.R. 429 interchange east of Camp Challenge Road to just west of Longwood-Markham Road.
The project includes a non-tolled, service road for local travel, new, much higher bridges over the Wekiva River, and several wildlife bridges to allow animals to pass safely between the Seminole State Forest, Rock Springs Run State Reserve, and Lower Wekiva River Preserve.
A multi-use trail with scenic overlooks at the wildlife bridges will be included along the service road on this section. Work will include connector roads between remaining sections of County Road (C.R.) 46A and S.R. 46 to maintain private property access. Work is scheduled to finish in 2021. Other project information can be found at wekivaparkway.com. Follow the project on Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates.
Media inquiries should be directed to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Communications Office at [email protected] or by phone at 386-943-5479. For more information visit the project website at wekivaparkway.com, and follow the project on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
FDOT urges all drivers to stay alert and use caution while driving through or near construction zones. When driving, walking, or bicycling, remember to pay attention and follow the rules. Safety doesn’t happen by accident.
More Project Information
The Wekiva Parkway is completing the beltway around Central Florida, while helping to protect the natural resources surrounding the Wekiva River. The FDOT and the Central Florida Expressway Authority so far have completed 13 miles of the eventual 25-mile toll road. The parkway provides travel alternatives, enhances safety and relieves area roads of traffic congestion.
Environmentalists refer to the Wekiva Parkway as a good example of transportation planning through environmentally sensitive areas. Parkway development has included conserving more than 3,400 acres of land, building wildlife bridges, and largely elevating the expressway to separate vehicles and wildlife.
