Driving CFX: August 2024

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AUGUST 2024 | ISSUE 103

CFX is reminding customers to stay alert to an ongoing texting Phishing Scam. The text scam poses as a tolling agency and urges recipients to settle outstanding toll amounts or risk a late fee if the purported unpaid toll balance does not get settled immediately. The text also supplies a fraudulent link that recipients are asked to click to pay the bill.

Consumers should not reply to suspicious texts or click on links or attachments. CFX will not text you about an outstanding toll balance. E-PASS account holders can use approved safe methods to check their accounts such as the official CFX E-PASS website or the E-PASS app available from the Apple App Store, or Google Play store. Click here to learn more.

This August, CFX published “The River and the Road,” a book that tells how the unlikeliest of allies came together to build the Wekiva Parkway and complete the regional beltway around metro Orlando. The 93-page book details in words, graphics and photos the seven-decade story behind the people who put the common good over their competing interests to preserve the fragile ecosystem northwest of Orlando. With its wildlife bridges, 3,400 acres of conservation land, and 10 miles of multi-use trails, the award-winning Wekiva Parkway is seen as a model for its approach to planning and building through environmentally-sensitive areas. “The River and the Road,” written by former Orlando Sentinel transportation reporter Dan Tracy, includes candid narratives from public officials, river protection advocates, and residents on how they came together to form consensus about the right approach to the last, most complicated and most expensive link in the beltway. The book is available for free as a digital download on the CFX website.

SR 417 CONSTRUCTION REACHES MAJOR MILESTONE

CFX has completed construction on the first section of the SR 417 widening and improvements project. The 4.1-mile section, located between International Drive and John Young Parkway, added a lane in each direction, expanding the expressway from four to six travel lanes. It also includes CFX’s new incident management system, called Flex Lanes, which will activate the widened median shoulder as a travel lane when an incident closes one or more of the right lanes. CFX began work to widen the 21-mile section of SR 417 between International Drive and SR 528 in February 2021. Additional sections are scheduled to be completed later this year with the entire corridor to be completed in early 2025. Click here to learn more.

NEW EXPRESSWAY STUDY FOR FAST-GROWING OSCEOLA COUNTY

CFX is conducting a study for a new expressway that would promote connectivity and improve travel conditions in Osceola County, one of the fastest growing regions in the country. The Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study will consider and evaluate the location and potential phasing of the proposed State Road 515 Northeast Connector Expressway Phase 2. The approximately 15-20-mile expressway is envisioned as a connection from Florida’s Turnpike (SR 91) northeast to US 192 and north to SR 534. The study objectives include providing additional east-west routes within the project area, promoting regional connectivity, enhancing mobility of the area’s growing population and economy, and more.

For more information on this study, click here.

NEW SR 417 SANFORD AIRPORT CONNECTOR PD&E STUDY UNDERWAY

CFX has kicked off a new study that looks at improving access to one of Central Florida’s busiest airports. The State Road 417 Sanford Airport Connector proposes providing direct access between SR 417 (Seminole Expressway) and the Orlando Sanford International Airport. The new connector would provide direct access to the airport to meet growing air passenger and flight demands and help to alleviate traffic on local roads.

This PD&E Study will consider, analyze, and evaluate the location of an approximately two-mile expressway connection from SR 417 to the entrance to the Orlando Sanford International Airport at or near Red Cleveland Boulevard. The study will also evaluate an elevated alternative along East Lake Mary Boulevard.

CFX will hold a public meeting for this study on September 12, 2024 at Millenium Middle School. Click here for more information or email us at projectstudies@CFXway.com.

Drivers whose vehicles are disabled on CFX expressways will receive a free emergency safety light for a limited time when they get help from Road Rangers. The initiative comes at an important time as Florida has expanded its Move Over Act to include disabled vehicles in addition to law enforcement and other emergency vehicles. For the lights, CFX partnered with Haley’s Light, a nonprofit founded in 2023 and named after Haley Boggs, a local college student who was tragically killed on a Pennsylvania road after her car was struck by another driver who did not see her car.

The bright, flashing portable LED lights are used to illuminate the area around a disabled vehicle, making it clearly visible to other drivers as they approach. Florida law requires drivers to move over a lane when they can safely do so, or slow to 20 mph below the speed limit if they can’t move over or it is a two-lane road. “This powerful, yet simple, solution has the ability to remind people to move over for drivers who are stopped on the roadway after dark,” said Michelle Maikisch, CFX Executive Director. “Utilizing our Road Rangers to distribute these lights to the drivers they are assisting on the side of the road is just one way we can make our roads safer for everyone whether they are traveling on our system or elsewhere.”

Central Florida schools reopened this month, putting more pedestrians, cyclists, school buses, and vehicles on the roads each morning and afternoon. CFX, as part of its Drive Smart Florida campaign, is encouraging drivers to practice these tips to create “good CARma” in order to remain calm and arrive happy. Among the tips are leaving early, taking deep breathes in stressful situations, decluttering your car, and playing chill music. Drivers should be alert and slow down, especially near schools, remembering to follow all school zone rules, such as obeying speed limits and heeding instructions from crossing guards. It’s also important to watch for children in your neighborhood, whether they are waiting for a school bus or walking or cycling to school. Read more “CARma” tips on the CFX website.

This month E-PASS is giving you a chance to win $100 in tolls. Every day between Aug. 26 and Sept. 2 (Labor Day), we will give away $100 in tolls to one winner each day. If you open an account, you will be automatically entered into our Labor Day Toll Giveaway. Already have an E-PASS account? Don’t fret – you also will have a chance to win by registering at GetEpass.com

CFX will also begin selling its UNI transponders in black, featuring college logos from UCF and the University of Florida. These portable KnightPass and GatorPass transponders blend into your windshield and can be moved between vehicles and work on all tolls roads and most bridges across Florida and throughout 18 other states. As with all E-PASS transponders, E-PASS gives you the lowest Florida toll rate and the ability to easily manage your account with our E-PASS app, available via Google Play or Apple App store. These college-branded black transponders will cost $14.95 and be available exclusively on Amazon.