APRIL 2023 | ISSUE 92

Did you know you can add funds, or reload, your E-PASS account at toll plazas throughout the CFX system? Reload Lanes are drive-up customer service lanes located at CFX toll plazas that make adding funds, or opening, E-PASS accounts more convenient and efficient.

Here’s how it works. Simply drive up and quickly add money to an existing E-PASS account using cash, credit, or debit card. Drivers can also open an E-PASS account in a Reload Lane by simply providing a license plate number, email and phone. The Reload Lanes are open seven days a week from 6 a.m.- 8 p.m. Learn more and view a full list of locations here.

Design Work Close to Completion on SR 516

Design for the new five-mile SR 516 Lake-Orange Expressway is expected to be complete by late 2023. The new expressway will extend from US 27 to SR 429 and provide a critical connection between Lake and Orange counties. 

To ensure members of the public had the opportunity to ask questions and submit comments during the design phase, three public information meetings were held in late February in Winter Garden and Clermont. A virtual public meeting was also held.

Once design is approved, construction could begin as early as late this year on the section connecting to SR 429 and could begin on the other two segments as early as mid-2024 and would likely last through 2026. Click here for more information about this project.  

Engineering Update

Did you know that tolls you pay on CFX expressways, stay right here in Central Florida? Your toll dollars are invested in critical infrastructure projects that allow CFX to meet our region’s growing travel demands.

Recently, CFX Director of Engineering, Dana Chester P.E., presented an update on engineering projects in the Central Florida Area. Currently, CFX has over 115 active projects in different phases: Planning, Studies, Design or Post Design. Please see below for some highlights on ongoing projects.

Current Design Projects:

State Road 538 (Poinciana Parkway) Extension to County Road 532

• The 3.1-mile project is broken into two segments. Segment 1, from Ronald Reagan Parkway to south of US 17/92 and Segment 2, from south of US 17/92 to County Road 532 are expected to improve traffic flow in the area. The anticipated design completion for both segments is the third quarter of 2023.

State Road 534 from State Road 417 near Boggy Creek Road to Narcoossee Road

• This project will meet the increasing demand for additional east-west routes in Central Florida while preparing for planned growth in southeast Orange and northeast Osceola counties. This project has four design segments and anticipated design completion for all segments is the fourth quarter of 2025.

State Road 414 Expressway Extension

• The 2.8-mile project will provide a direct connection between the eastern end of the SR 414 (John Land Apopka Expressway) and Interstate 4 (I-4). The design anticipated design completion is in the second quarter of 2025.

State Road 516 (Lake/Orange Expressway) from US 27 to SR 429

• The project will be broken into three segments and is expected to improve traffic flow in the area. The anticipated design completion for all segments is the fourth quarter of 2023.

Capacity Improvements:

State Road 408 Tampa Avenue Interchange

• The project is expected to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at SR 408 and Tampa Avenue, especially during events at Camping World Stadium. The design competition is expected in the third quarter of 2024.

State Road 528 from Narcoossee Road to SR 417

• This 2-mile project includes will expand eastbound State Road 528 (Martin B. Andersen Beachline Expressway) from two to three travel lanes from Narcoossee Road to State Road 417 (Central Florida GreeneWay). Additional improvements include milling and resurfacing of the roadway, as well as updates to lighting and signage. The design competition is expected in the first quarter of 2024.

For information on future projects, go to “Projects and Studies” at CFXway.com or click here.

If you have friends and family flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO) and renting a car during their stay in Florida, make sure to tell them about Visitor Toll Pass! A FREE loaner toll pass for rental car customers traveling roundtrip through MCO. Visitor Toll Pass has helped customers throughout the U.S and over 60 countries pay the lowest toll rate and avoid extra fees. Travelers can reserve a Visitor Toll Pass ahead of time or get one when they arrive at the airport using the Visitor Toll Pass app available on Google Play and Apple App stores. Travelers can pick up their Visitor Toll Pass in vending machines located at Terminal A, Level 1. Additional Visitor Toll Pass vending machines will be coming to Terminals B & C in late 2023.

CFX Hosts Second Annual OCPS STEM Field Trip

CFX hosted nearly fifty STEM students from 22 Orange County high schools to spend the day learning about the future of Autonomous Vehicles (AV) and how the technology could impact future transportation. After gathering at the CFX headquarters to hear from the CFX Team, the students visited the headquarters of Beep, a Lake Nona-based company that is delivering the next generation of transportation with driverless, electric, multi-passenger vehicles. Then, the students headed to the FDOT D5 Regional Transportation Management Center, the nerve center for traffic management across the nine counties of Florida Department of Transportation’s District Five. There, they toured the facility and learned about the operations of this hurricane-ready facility. 

Did you know you can manage your account from your smartphone? E-PASS customers can manage payment and vehicle information, track activity, and view E-PASS toll discounts and savings, including the 2023 Toll Relief Program. Download the free E-PASS Toll App to get started! You can find the app by searching for “E-PASS” in the Apple or Google Play app store. 

Partner Update - Brightline Unveils Orlando Passenger Rail Station

Brightline, unveiled its highly anticipated Brightline Orlando Station at Orlando International Airport (MCO) last week. With Brightline’s signature yellow and spacious lounges, the station is the perfect backdrop for a new era of passenger rail that will connect two of the fastest growing regions in the state: Central and South Florida. Brightline also announced that Orlando ticket sales will launch in May for future dates, with one-way fares starting at $79 for SMART and $149 for PREMIUM. SMART fare bundles for families of four will be available for less than $199 one way. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com