Corrine Drive, located in Orlando’s famous Audubon Park Gardens Main Street District, has been identified as a lung-friendly place to bike, walk, and roll. A recent assessment by the Florida Department of Health – Orange County revealed that the air quality in the area is good. However, despite this positive finding, the street is in need of a significant makeover due to deteriorating infrastructure, safety concerns, and a car-centric design.
To address some of these issues, a midblock crosswalk with the city’s first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) was installed on Corrine Drive. This signal alerts drivers to stop so pedestrians can cross safely. According to research, PHBs can reduce pedestrian crashes by 55% and total crashes by 29%. Additionally, the pavement of the entire intersection will be raised to sidewalk level, promoting slower speeds and encouraging drivers to yield to pedestrians.
The redesign of Corrine Drive is aimed at making the street more pedestrian-friendly, bicyclist-friendly, and wheelchair-friendly. The project will transition the roadway from a car-centric design to a people-centric design. The intersection corners will be extended to provide more space for pedestrians, and plans include curb extensions, decorative markings, and a new pedestrian refuge island. The goal is to create a safer, more efficient, and aesthetically pleasing environment for residents and visitors to the area.
The project aligns with the City’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. The new signalized crosswalk will enhance safety for all street users and support the City’s goals of improving the area’s walkability and reducing traffic accidents.
In addition to safety improvements, extensive landscaping with nearly 300 street trees will enhance the corridor’s visual appeal and provide shade for walkers and cyclists. The NACTO Urban Street Design guide suggests that trees can reduce speeding and crashes, making the street safer for all users.
Finally, complete sidewalks throughout the entire corridor are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring accessibility for all. The federal law sets standards for sidewalk widths, slopes, and ramps to ensure they are safe and accessible for people with disabilities.
The redesign of Corrine Drive is an important step towards creating a safer, more inclusive, and aesthetically pleasing environment for all street users. By improving safety, walkability, and accessibility, the City of Orlando is working to create a healthier and more vibrant community.
