Florida

[pianocello]

I'm also worried about the traffic signals on either side of the interchange, if the University Parkway DDI in Sarasota is anything to go by that creates a lot of congestion the DDI design can't fix.

I feel like the reason the Sarasota DDI doesn't function as well as intended is because there isn't any other way to get from one side of the Interstate to another. Which doesn't bode well for Sand Lake Rd either, since the nearest crossings on either side are a few miles away at Universal Blvd and Central Florida Pkwy.

It's unfortunate that a lot of traffic issues across Florida can be explained by the fact that there aren't a lot of streets that go through, but it's too late and/or costly to do anything about that.

[roadman65]

Development in Florida was ad libbed. It wasn't carefully planned like the city and county proposing a road network to handle future growth.

[NJRoadfan]

I bet it'll be somewhat safer when the loop ramp to SB Turkey Lake Rd from WB Sand Lake opens and the final road shoulders are in place, but I'm surprised they switched it to a DDI at this point in the process.

That is one complicated looking reverse jughandle *ducks*

[roadman65]

Right now that DDI must be clogging the current Turkey Lake Road intersection west of it.

[roadman65]

Well drove it and to answer my own question: yes. Gridlock at Turkey Lake.  Also, the traffic signals at the DDI were allowing WB Sand Lake an indefinite green while EB waited it for a long time.

Being DDIs are for left turning traffic, this intersection sees more straight through than turns, so IMO it's a waste to have it. More cars continue on Sand Lake than turns left onto I-4 ramps so a SPUI is more useful in this application.

Bad move on FDOT here.

[ElishaGOtis]

Well drove it and to answer my own question: yes. Gridlock at Turkey Lake.  Also, the traffic signals at the DDI were allowing WB Sand Lake an indefinite green while EB waited it for a long time.

Being DDIs are for left turning traffic, this intersection sees more straight through than turns, so IMO it's a waste to have it. More cars continue on Sand Lake than turns left onto I-4 ramps so a SPUI is more useful in this application.

Bad move on FDOT here.

Right NOW there's more traffic going through. However, there's one variable that could change the overall ratio... Epic Universe (the new UOR theme park development) will be very close to said DDI. While there will still be a high volume of through traffic, the RATIO of thru traffic to turning traffic could change dramatically once the development fully opens (estimated Summer 2025). Not entirely sure though, just a thought   

[NE2]

A short piece of SR 313 has been built...as CR 312.
Pedestrians and cyclists are prohibited as if it were a freeway (which is of course total bullshit, as it's the only reasonable access to the subdivision).

[Alex]

My travels today took me onto the Florida Turnpike for the first time. There be hills in this state! The widening north of FL-50 can't come fast enough though. Traffic (and pavement) is terrible on that stretch.

Based upon your recent posting history (when I have actually reading the forum in recent months), you relocated to Florida? Florida's Turnpike north of Minneola used to be a nice drive. Rolling hills with a reprieve in traffic from the Orlando metropolitan area. Then sprawl accelerated in Lake, and an exit to benefit developers opened for Minneola.

The Villages are building a stupid amount of development southeast along Florida's Turnpike and the previously rural CR 470 is not recognizable due to the influx of building. All the while the addition of exits in the Orlando area over the last 20 years have transitioned the toll road from mainly being a through route to a commuter route. The planned expansion of suburbia south from St. Cloud will even add more commuters.

Also Sugarloaf Mountain is located north of the Minneola exit. That's the highest point on the Florida Peninsula...or basically the high point of the large sand bar between the two coastal plains.

[roadman65]

Then to add insult to injury, FTE will add new ramps at SR 482 in Orlando to make it more of a local freeway than a turnpike.

 
On another note I see the West NASA Causeway is now been torn down for the new EB bridge as the new WB is being built where the old 1964 twin bascule used to be. What's odd is that NASA won't be maintaining the new high rises like they did the past 60 years for the old causeway, but now is being given to FDOT to take care of.

I do miss the old bridges as the traffic signals for the bridge were suspended from curved mast poles and predated Florida using actual traffic signals at drawbridges due to the Space Center maintenance.  However the new structures will allow lane changes as the old ones prohibited that.

[NJRoadfan]

Based upon your recent posting history (when I have actually reading the forum in recent months), you relocated to Florida?

Nope, just on vacation. Back in NJ now. There may be traffic here.... but at least it MOVES.

My travels actually took me down CR-470, which was chopped up quite a bit.

[Alex]

Based upon your recent posting history (when I have actually reading the forum in recent months), you relocated to Florida?

Nope, just on vacation. Back in NJ now. There may be traffic here.... but at least it MOVES.

The steady influx of population to Florida has made driving around the Tampa area, and especially Orlando, vastly more miserable.

My travels actually took me down CR-470, which was chopped up quite a bit.

I have not driven CR 470 since The Villages expansion obliterated the old alignment, only have seen what GSV shows. The development took out a viable alternate from Tampa to Orlando, as often traffic on I-4 is so bad that GPS will suggest better travel times by taking I-75 to SR 50 to Florida's Turnpike or I-75 north all the way to Florida's Turnpike then south. CR 470 was an intermediate option, but not anymore.

[Alex]

A side project I did as part of the GIS classes I am taking was to create a map showing the Florida toll road system excluding most toll bridges. I added sections showing current construction of new segments and ones proposed that are either in design or formally laid out. These include the next section of SR 570B, SR 589 north to US 19/98 and SR 516.



Linked to the full sized image, which is 3300x2550 pixels.

Also brought back some of the old Gousha map symbols I made with ArcMap many years ago.

[formulanone]

A side project I did as part of the GIS classes I am taking was to create a map showing the Florida toll road system excluding most toll bridges. I added sections showing current construction of new segments and ones proposed that are either in design or formally laid out. These include the next section of SR 570B, SR 589 north to US 19/98 and SR 516.



Linked to the full sized image, which is 3300x2550 pixels.

Also brought back some of the old Gousha map symbols I made with ArcMap many years ago.

This is the first reference to SR 516 that I've seen...is it part of a proposed beltway for Clermont or just a connector between US 27 and SR 429? Seems to be a puzzling location for now.

https://www.cfxway.com/for-travelers/projects/state-road-516-from-us-27-to-sr-429/

The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) is building the State Road 516 Lake/Orange Expressway in Lake and Orange counties. Built with innovation in mind, SR 516 will serve as a revolutionary testbed for electric in-vehicle charging. SR 516 will be the most sustainable project ever delivered by CFX.

The new 4.4-mile expressway, which is being constructed in three segments, will provide much-needed connectivity between Lake and Orange counties. SR 516 will also help to meet the future travel needs of an area that has blossomed into a fast-growing residential, commercial, and medical hub. Additionally, SR 516 will feature wildlife protection and a multi-use trail to deliver a world-class roadway.

[jhuntin1]

A side project I did as part of the GIS classes I am taking was to create a map showing the Florida toll road system excluding most toll bridges. I added sections showing current construction of new segments and ones proposed that are either in design or formally laid out. These include the next section of SR 570B, SR 589 north to US 19/98 and SR 516.



Linked to the full sized image, which is 3300x2550 pixels.

Also brought back some of the old Gousha map symbols I made with ArcMap many years ago.

That is great work. Thanks for sharing!

How do tolled county roads work (344 and 522)? Does the state give authority to the counties to construct their own toll roads or do the counties have to petition the state for permission? Do they use SunPass convertible setups? I've never seen them before, so I apologize if these are silly questions.

[rickmastfan67]

A side project I did as part of the GIS classes I am taking was to create a map showing the Florida toll road system excluding most toll bridges. I added sections showing current construction of new segments and ones proposed that are either in design or formally laid out. These include the next section of SR 570B, SR 589 north to US 19/98 and SR 516.



Linked to the full sized image, which is 3300x2550 pixels.

Also brought back some of the old Gousha map symbols I made with ArcMap many years ago.

Where's the tolled 'express' lanes? 

[NE2]

This is the first reference to SR 516 that I've seen...is it part of a proposed beltway for Clermont or just a connector between US 27 and SR 429? Seems to be a puzzling location for now.

Just a connector. US 27 has gone to shit and there are no good connections to 429 between 192 and 50.

One minor error: 407 is only toll south of I-95. It's no longer classified as freeway north of I-95 either.

[Alex]

That is great work. Thanks for sharing!

How do tolled county roads work (344 and 522)? Does the state give authority to the counties to construct their own toll roads or do the counties have to petition the state for permission? Do they use SunPass convertible setups? I've never seen them before, so I apologize if these are silly questions.

Thanks!

To answer your questions, I'll sum up what I have on the respective pages for the routes on the site. CR 0344 is Orchard Pond Parkway, a privately built toll road linking CR 0361 (Old Bainbridge Road) and CR 155 (Meridian Road) at Bannerman Road in northern Leon County. The road was the idea of one of the landowners, who invested funds to eventually build the road in 2012. Once the road was built, Leon County acquired the property and leased it back to the landowner to operate the toll road. There is an AET gantry toward the east end of the toll road that uses SunPass.

CR 522 / Osceola Parkway is maintained and operated by Osceola County. Only 2.2 miles of the parkway is a controlled access expressway, and the split diamond interchange on that section has toll collection points for the ramps with N Poinciana Boulevard. The main line toll plaza is further east past two intersections and located between Shingle Creek and Flora Boulevard at Kissimmee.

Where's the tolled 'express' lanes? 

Heh, I did briefly think about adding them! But I was aiming to not edit the existing FDOT feature class data (I only added to it).

This is the first reference to SR 516 that I've seen...is it part of a proposed beltway for Clermont or just a connector between US 27 and SR 429? Seems to be a puzzling location for now.

Just a connector. US 27 has gone to shit and there are no good connections to 429 between 192 and 50.

One minor error: 407 is only toll south of I-95. It's no longer classified as freeway north of I-95 either.

Pretty much an accurate assessment as to the rationale for SR 516. Will further accelerate suburban development along the U.S. 27 corridor and at Horizon West.

The FDOT feature class layer for toll roads includes SR 407, which agreed is erroneous. I at least did not label it with a toll shield.
Did not know they were going to allow for the conversion of the remainder of SR 407 north of I-95 into an arterial without access control. That falls in line with the ramps added at I-95 in 2013. Thanks for the link.

[74/171FAN]

CR 522 / Osceola Parkway is maintained and operated by Osceola County. Only 2.2 miles of the parkway is a controlled access expressway, and the split diamond interchange on that section has toll collection points for the ramps with N Poinciana Boulevard. The main line toll plaza is further east past two intersections and located between Shingle Creek and Flora Boulevard at Kissimmee.

I only drove CR 522 west of Poinciana Blvd and along the US 17 TRUCK/US 92 TRUCK Concurrency from John Young Pkwy (CR 423) to US 17/US 92 last year, and made it a priority for myself to clinch all of CR 522/Osceola Pkwy next time I go to Orlando when I saw this signage.

Photos from 3/9/2023 (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10218639568340892&set=a.10218639780786203)



At the ramp to Poinciana Blvd



Photos from 3/8/2023

Starting with US 17 SB/US 92 WB/US 441 SB before turning west on CR 522 (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10218638187506372&set=a.10218638348190389)

[NE2]

Osceola Parkway is basically a toll bridge over Shingle Creek. The ramp tolls are easily shunpikeable, especially with the new Storey Lake Boulevard connecting to 192.

[Jaxrunner]

The FDOT started a long overdue project to replace the outdated I-10 US 29 interchange in Pensacola this week. The current interchange is modeled like the I-10 I-75 where traffic from US 29 has to merge in the fast lane of I-10 in a merge. Due to the growth of Pensacola, especially northwest in Beulah on Nine Mile Rd, the rural character of I-10 is changing into a more suburban freeway.  According to the FDOT, this segment of I-10 averages 62,000 vehicles a day. That makes this the busiest segment of I-10 in Florida west of Jacksonville.

The article says the interchange project will take six years. The FDOT is also working on the Nine Mile Rd and I-10 interchange, as well as plans to widen I-10 from the Alabama line to US-29 as part of the governor's plan to move highway construction projects forward.



https://www.northescambia.com/2024/04/236-million-6-year-major-project-beginning-to-totally-rebuild-entire-i-10-highway-29-interchange

[The Ghostbuster]

The existing interchange between Interstate 10 and US 29 looks pretty convoluted. There also was a westbound-to-southbound cloverleaf ramp until about 2017 or 2018, which has since been removed. Hopefully, the redesigned interchange will work sufficiently.

[D-Dey65]

I've never been there, but I like the convoluted interchange between I-10 and US 29. Having said that, I'm glad they're making some of the changes, although I wish they'd do it in a way that doesn't obstruct traffic flow on US 29 at the I-10 off-ramps.