Central Florida Expressway Authority

Overview & History

State Road 429 (Daniel Webster Western Beltway) extends nearly 23 miles from U.S. Highway 441 in Apopka south to Interstate 4 in Osceola County, providing West Orange and Osceola counties with an alternate north-south route to heavily traveled Interstate-4.

The State Road 429 also greatly enhances access to the Florida’s Turnpike and area attractions.

The expressway features CFX’s first “open-road tolling” system for travelers using E-PASS or other accepted electronic transponders. Under the new design, E-PASS customers pay tolls automatically while traveling under gantries on the expressway. Customers who prefer to pay with cash must stop at conventional tollbooths.

State Road 429 becomes the Wekiva Parkway when it crosses U.S. Highway 441 in Apopka. The final link in the Central Florida Beltway, the parkway was built in stages by CFX and the Florida Department of Transportation. Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise handles the toll operations on the FDOT sections. The parkway was completed in 2024.

1974

Studies for the Western Beltway date back to 1974. By the early 1980s, plans were taking shape for a 55-mile, limited access road connecting to Interstate-4 in Seminole and Osceola counties. However, the portion from US 441 in Apopka north and east into Seminole County — designated as Part B — was eliminated after it was deemed to pose an adverse environmental impact on the Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve.

2000

The first 10.6-mile stretch of State Road 429 between US 441 and State Road 50 opened in July 2000. The 4.5-mile connection between State Road 50 and County Road 535 — including the Turnpike interchange — opened in December 2002, followed by completion of the 8.5-mile segment from south of County Road 535 to Seidel Road in December 2005.

2006

Florida's Turnpike Enterprise completed the 11-mile portion from Seidel Road south across US 192 to Interstate-4 in Osceola County in December 2006.

121.9k

Vehicles per Day

Miles of Expressway

Average Speed

Features

CFX leverages emerging technology and expert planning to ensure that drivers enjoy safe, efficient travel whether coming, going or just passing through the region. While Central Florida expressways share this legacy of connection, each has its own unique history.

Open-Road Tolling

In 2000, State Road 429 opened as the first CFX expressway built with open-road tolling (ORT), an electronic system that replaced tollbooths on the main travel lanes. With ORT, travelers using E-PASS or other accepted electronic transponders pay tolls automatically while passing under gantries at posted speed limits. Customer response to the new toll-collection system was so positive that CFX refitted existing expressways with it and made ORT the standard for new expressways.

Car drives through banner at Central Florida Expressway toll road 429 ribbon cutting ceremony

Daniel Webster

State Road 429 is named after Daniel Webster, the longest-serving state legislator in Florida history. Webster spent 28 years in the Florida House and Senate before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. A longtime supporter of transportation and this agency, Webster helped secure funding for the Western Beltway, which runs through part of his congressional district. “Transportation is our lifeline and economic engine in Florida, fueling access for freight movement, employment opportunities and family fun,” he said. “Although I never expected a road to be named after me, it is an honor to be part of keeping Florida moving.”

Reload Lanes Come to State Road 429

State Road 429 became, in May 2017, the third CFX expressway to add drive-up Reload Lanes so customers could conveniently sign up for E-PASS or replenish their existing accounts. Located in the north- and south-bound lanes at the Forest Lake Toll Plaza, Reload Lanes are open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.