Multi-Modal is A MUST For The Orange Avenue Corridor

A sizeable crowd gathered in late October at the Comfort Inn on Sand Lake Road to hear from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Orange County about the plans to improve multi-modal travel along the Orange Avenue corridor – from Sand Lake Road to Hoffner Road, touching parts of Hansel Avenue, and between Parkline Blvd. and Lancaster Rd, adjacent to SunRail.
 
One would agree that this corridor is travel challenged. Traffic collisions and “almost misses” are the norm and even on the night of the meeting a cyclist and car collided on Orange Avenue in front of the SunRail.

No one was seriously hurt, just frightened. This segways perfectly into the solutions presented. After months of studies, walking audits with the neighbors and local businesses, public input meetings, and ongoing engagement, FDOT and Orange County offered recommendations to achieve the vision of making this corridor safe, easy to cross and provides for increase transit opportunities, walkable shops and work places, and boosts the local economy.

Here are the highlights: 10′ to 12′ foot lanes location dependent, median widening, curb bulb outs to reduce crossing distance, landscaping buffers, increase ped crossings, upgraded ped signals, continuous 6′ sidewalks, ADA upgrades, 5′ bike lanes, optional “greened” bike lanes in certain areas, more bus stops, street lamps and drainage improvements. If this has peaked your interest, then check out the full details here.  FDOT and Orange County have also posted their presentation and accompanying renderings.

Next up?  Let’s make this vision a reality and move this up the MetroPlan Orlando priority list to be funded.  And, give a big thanks to FDOT and Orange County for putting PEDS as a priority.