The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) is building State Road 516 (Lake/Orange Expressway) as a critical connection between Lake and Orange counties. Planning for the new 4.4 mile corridor has been underway since 2019 in response to planned commercial, residential, educational and medical communities between State Road 429 and US 27.
SR 516 is being constructed in three segments with features including a wildlife tunnel to protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor and a new multi-use trail as a critical component of the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail system, connecting to Horizon West Town Center, the new Valencia College campus, and regional trails.
SR 516 also presents a unique opportunity for CFX to gain insight into how we adapt and design our highways to account for emerging technologies. By carving out a small section of less than a mile on SR 516, we can gain valuable insights into designing highways with precast concrete panels to accommodate infrastructure for an electric vehicle pilot. This research will help us evolve our road-building practices for the future.
Goals for SR 516 include:
- Improve east-west connectivity, regional mobility, travel times, and intermodal access across counties, freight centers, rail, airports, and ports
- Accommodate current and future transportation demand driven by planned growth in the region
- Support economic development and job creation aligned with Lake County’s Wellness Way Area Plan
- Expand active transportation choices in partnership with Lake County, with dedicated multi-use trail infrastructure
- Ensure improved emergency evacuation/services access (e.g., for hurricanes) and Florida-native landscaping.
Click here for the SR 516 Corridor Capacity Improvements Fact Sheet
Click here for the full-size profile map of the project
What You Can Expect During Construction:
- Nighttime construction work as needed.
- Intermittent lane and ramp closures.
- Intermittent daytime pile driving operations.
- Noise during construction activities.
Click here for a virtual tour of the project
_______________________________________________________________________
May 2024 – 2Q 2027 (Estimated Construction Schedule)
Orange/Lake County Line to SR 429 – Segment 3
Construction of this 0.9-mile segment includes a systems interchange with SR 429, a half interchange with Valencia Parkway, and toll gantries at all interchange ramps. The nearby interchange at SR 429 and Schofield Road will remain. As part of this segment, CFX is contributing to local infrastructure by building a segment of Valencia Parkway between the interchange ramps and Schofield Road.
_______________________________________________________________________
April 2026 – Mid 2029 (Estimated Construction Schedule)
Cook Road to the Orange/Lake County Line – Segment 2
Construction of this 1.9-mile segment includes a full interchange with Lake County Road 455 and a new public multi-use trail in partnership with Lake County. CFX is constructing the section of CR 455 from south of the interchange ramps to Schofield Road. The section of SR 516 from east of CR 455 to the County Line, including CR 455, is planned to open with Segment 3. The portion of SR 516 west of CR 455 is planned to open with Segment 1.
______________________________________________________________________
June 2026 – Mid 2029 (Estimated Construction Schedule)
US 27 to Cook Road
This 1.6-mile four-lane expressway segment will include the realignment of US 27 to accommodate an interchange with SR 516 while avoiding impacts to Lake Louisa State Park. As part of this segment, CFX will build a wildlife tunnel under US 27 to accommodate the Florida Wildlife Corridor and connect the new multi-use trail to regional systems including the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail and Horizon West Town Center. This final SR 516 segment will also incorporate a nearly one-mile pilot project to help CFX gain insight into designing highways for emerging technologies.
For information gathered prior to the Construction and Design phase, please visit the Lake/Orange Expressway (formerly known as the Lake/Orange County Connector) Project Development & Environment Study page.