OCOEE, FL (May 19, 2006) — Florida’s Turnpike announces lane closures and work zone information for construction and maintenance projects in Central Florida, beginning Sunday, May 21, 2006.

Florida’s Turnpike strives to maintain traffic flow in work zones; however, motorists may encounter heavier traffic near construction sites.  Motorists should drive with caution through the work zones, and adhere to posted detour signs and speed limits.

Note: Speeding fines double in construction zones when workers are present.

TOLL ROAD 429—THE DANIEL WEBSTER WESTERN BELTWAY PART C

• Motorists traveling on Interstate 4 should be prepared for inside, single lane closures, both east- and westbound, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday, May 21 to Friday, May 26.

The Turnpike has opened a five-mile section of the $326 million Daniel Webster Western Beltway to traffic between Seidel Road and US 192.  The newly opened section of the Western Beltway provides an additional fourteen miles of roadway looping around western Orange County.  The Western Beltway provides alternatives to motorists wishing to avoid the Interstate 4 and US 192 tourist corridors, while providing easy access to the Turnpike mainline, Toll 408 (the East/West Expressway), US 27 and CR 545.

The five-mile section of the Western Beltway in Osceola County between Interstate 4 and US 192 will open to traffic on December 7, 2006.
To view a project map, visit the Turnpike website at http://www.dot.state.fl.us/turnpikepio/NewWebPages/western_beltway.html

• Motorists traveling on Toll 528 between mileposts 3-5 should expect delays due to intermittent, single lane closures, both east-and westbound, Sunday through Thursday, during the overnight hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Single lane closures in each direction at Consulate Drive, US 17-92/441 (Orange Blossom Trail), and on the Turnpike mainline between mileposts 254-259 from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Motorists should expect flagging operations near the Exit 255 ramp at Consulate Drive during off-peak daylight hours as construction materials are delivered to the site.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  This $77.5 million project adds two lanes in each direction to the Turnpike between Toll 528 and Interstate 4.  Reconstruction and widening of the Shingle Creek Bridge, the overpasses at Toll 528, Orange Blossom Trail (US 17/92/441), Oak Ridge Road, Sand Lake Road and the Interstate 4 ramps is also included in this project.  This Turnpike widening project is scheduled to be complete in November 2007.  The project includes setting barrier wall and installing asphalt to accommodate temporary travel lanes during construction as well as activities associated with demolition work and new construction on Shingle Creek Bridge.  Construction activities will occur behind barrier wall.  There are no lane closures currently scheduled during the day.  Motorists should exercise caution while traveling in the area, and watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the work zone.

RAMP MODIFICATIONS AT TOLL ROAD 408
 (HOLLAND EAST/WEST EXPRESSWAY)  (MILEPOSTS 264-266)

• Motorists traveling north- and southbound on the Turnpike should be alert for single lane closures, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday, May 21 and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday, May 22 to Thursday, May  25
• Motorists traveling southbound on the Turnpike should be alert for a traffic shift to the new lanes, overnight, Wednesday, May 24.
• Daily flagging operation along Hempel Avenue to allow for sidewalk replacement

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construction continues on the $26 million ramp modification project at the Holland East/West Expressway (Toll 408) interchange.  Scheduled for completion in July ’06, the project includes construction of two new ramps, which will complete the interchange.  Ramps will be constructed from the Turnpike northbound to eastbound Toll 408 and westbound on Toll 408 to the Turnpike southbound.

               
Fourth Street Bridge Replacement at
Milepost 272 and Northbound Exit Ramp Improvements
(Mileposts 271-272)

• Single lane closures, both north- and southbound, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday, 21  through Thursday, May 25
• Fourth Street Bridge traffic is reduced to one lane, continuously, until the new bridge is complete.  A signal is in place on the bridge to control traffic movements.  One-way traffic, only, is allowed on the bridge.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  This $4 million project replaces the Fourth Street Bridge over the Turnpike near Milepost 272.  The bridge replacement accommodates the future widening of the Turnpike through Orange County, which is scheduled to begin in 2007.  After the bridgework is completed, the Turnpike’s northbound exit ramp at Milepost 272 will be extended to the south, and widened to two lanes.  The Fourth Street Bridge/Milepost 272 project is scheduled for completion in March 2007.

• No lane closures next week.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:   This $18.9 million project includes construction of a SunPass-only northbound on ramp and a SunPass-only southbound off ramp at Kissimmee Park Road (Milepost 240) near its intersection with Old Canoe Creek Road.  Included in the project are the reconstruction and realignment of the Kissimmee Park Road Bridge over the Turnpike, and the reconstruction of Kissimmee Park Road and removal of the curve in its alignment with Old Canoe Creek Road east of the bridge.  The project limits extend to the west near Clay Whaley Road.  The new ramps are scheduled to open by the end of the year.

Most construction activities will occur Mondays through Saturdays, during the overnight hours of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.  There may be occasional lane closures or traffic shifts that will affect off-peak traffic on the Turnpike, Kissimmee Park Road and Canoe Creek Road.  There will also be increased truck traffic on all three roads as construction materials are delivered to the job site.

SEMINOLE COUNTY