On Friday December 5, 2006, the final leg of the Daniel Webster Western Beltway, otherwise known as Florida 429 Toll, opened to traffic in northern Osceola County. Consisting of a four-lane toll road between Interstate 4 (Exit 60) and U.S. 192 (Exit 6), the latest segment of “The 429″ provides a seamless freeway connection between Interstate 4 and Florida’s Turnpike near Ocoee and U.S. 441 (Orange Blossom Trail) at Apopka. In conjunction with Florida’s Turnpike and Florida 408 Toll (Holland East-West Expressway), Florida 429 Toll provides a western bypass route of the Walt Disney World, International Drive, and Universal Studios resort areas of Interstate 4.

Traveling northbound on Interstate 4 at the new tri-level stack interchange with Florida 429 Toll (Exit 60). I opted for Florida 429 Toll north to Florida’s Turnpike east to Florida 408 Toll east to bypass the traffic congestion associated with Interstate 4’s reconstruction at the U.S. 192 interchange and surrounding areas. Despite $3.25 in tolls, that bypass saved me significant time and gas wasted in idling! Photos taken December 30, 2006.

Heading north from Interstate 4, the first interchange along Florida 429 Toll northbound serves Sinclair Road, a local residential through route. Almost a month after its opening, the interchange (Exit 1A) had yet to open to traffic.

A wide open Florida 429 Toll as it lies between Sinclair Road (Exit 1A) and junction U.S. 192 (Exit 6). Given all the planned development along the route such as Horizon West, the days of light traffic are not likely to endure on this future commuter route.

Arriving at the Exit 6 diamond interchange with U.S. 192 at the Osceola-Orange County line on Florida 429 Toll northbound. A half-diamond interchange opened with the Orange County section of the Western Beltway in December of 2005. Motorists continuing north enter the first main line toll plaza ahead. See Florida 429 Toll @ SouthEastRoads for the rest of the road.

At present the Western Beltway travels 33 miles between Interstate 4 and U.S. 441. North of Florida’s Turnpike, Florida 429 Toll acts as a spur to Apopka. Officials again are pushing for completion of the toll road northward to reunite with Interstate 4 near Sanford. The final segment of Orlando’s Beltway system, known as the Wekiva Parkway, is still years away from completion. However land acquisition and initial construction may begin as soon as this year depending upon legislation.

Completion of the most recent segment of Florida 429 Toll cost $328 million and took 30 months to build. $74 million was allocated by the state toward the 25-mile Wekiva Parkway on December 4, 2006.

Sources: “Drivers, rejoice: Last leg of Western Beltway open.” Orlando Sentinel, December 9, 2006.