Pitched as iconic, even “Instagram-able,” a proposed pedestrian overpass on the busiest crossroads within the coronary heart of the vacationer district is shifting forward with a placing design and an much more eye-catching price ticket.
The swooping concrete construction linking all 4 corners of the intersection of Worldwide Drive and Sand Lake Highway is estimated to price greater than $35.5 million.
“That is about security,” stated Blanche Hardy, the venture supervisor.
It’s solely the most recent big-bucks pedestrian security venture in a Central Florida area as soon as dubbed the nation’s most harmful place to stroll. An Orlando Sentinel evaluation final yr confirmed the excellence is slowly eroding, with the assistance of multi-million greenback approaches like one on South Orange Blossom Path and one other alongside Alafaya Path close to the College of Central Florida.
Pedestrians alongside these thoroughfares used to tote their lives of their arms, however accident charges have plummeted. The hope is for a similar to occur round I-Drive.
Greater than 42,000 autos journey every day by way of the intersection on Sand Lake Highway and one other 30,000 or so buzz by way of on Worldwide Drive. A examine of accident information from 2017 by way of 2022 counted 661 crashes on the intersection, together with a dozen involving pedestrians.
Simply final yr, a Tampa excessive schooler, in Orlando for Memorial Day weekend to mark her seventeenth birthday, darted throughout six lanes of stopped site visitors on I-Drive, however was fatally struck by a automobile touring within the seventh, a free-flowing proper flip lane onto Sand Lake Highway.
Proposed fencing would assist discourage such a harmful sprint.
The overpass is designed to make it doable to go from any nook of the intersection to every other nook with out strolling into the street. That can restrict congestion and conflicts on the intersection, stated Hardy, who outlined the venture Tuesday to Orange County commissioners. She stated the overpass would supply a safer, ADA-compatible path for pedestrians, bicyclists, and low-speed scooters and e-bikes to cross the hectic, multi-lane roads.
Her slide presentation famous the venture was supposed to “have a good time walkability” and accommodate a range of customers.
The venture will likely be financed largely by the Worldwide Drive Neighborhood Redevelopment Company, created in 1998, although the county will probably search some federal and state help. The aim of the I-Drive CRA is to enhance the world by investing in transportation, inexpensive and attainable housing, financial growth, neighborhood applications and beautification initiatives.
The overpass bought a thumbs up from the I-Drive Chamber of Commerce.
“This intersection poses rising security dangers amid ongoing roadway expansions and customer progress,” stated Maria Triscari, the chamber’s president & CEO. “Guaranteeing the protection of our residents, workforce and visitors is not only a precedence, it’s a duty.”
She stated the overpass will provide “a a lot wanted answer” to safeguard lives and improve connectivity.
Constructing the construction would require the county purchase land at three of the corners. Hardy stated negotiations are in progress.
“It is a nice instance of how the tourism trade — and having a tourism financial system — can contribute to enhancing our high quality of life,” stated Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad, a UCF professor who research tourism economics. “Congratulations on an awesome Instagram-able bridge that provides worth to our neighborhood with elevated security for our native residents, our companies and vacationers who go to us.”
The venture, which has been on the drafting board for years. bought the fee’s blessing to maneuver ahead Wednesday.
A timeline within the slide presentation exhibits the venture beginning in January 2028 and completion by July 2030.
shudak@orlandosentinel.com
