The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) is building the State Road 516 Lake/Orange Expressway in Lake and Orange counties. Built with innovation in mind, SR 516 will serve as a revolutionary testbed for electric in-vehicle charging. SR 516 will be the most sustainable project ever delivered by CFX.
The new 4.4-mile expressway, which is being constructed in three segments, will provide much-needed connectivity between Lake and Orange counties. SR 516 will also help to meet the future travel needs of an area that has blossomed into a fast-growing residential, commercial, and medical hub. Additionally, SR 516 will feature wildlife protection and a multi-use trail to deliver a world-class roadway.
SR 516’s project goals include:
• Improve connectivity opportunities for Lake and Orange counties
• Meet anticipated transportation demand for planned growth
• Support economic viability/job creation for the Wellness Way Area Plan
• Increase intermodal opportunities with Horizon West Town Center
• Provide evacuation and emergency services access for emergency events such as hurricanes
• Create a sustainable, environmentally-friendly facility that balances transportation needs with conservation and energy efficiency
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
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Segment 1 – US 27 to Cook Road
Project Type: Construction
Construction of the 1.6-mile four-lane expressway segment will include an interchange with US 27 and realignment of US 27 to accommodate the interchange while avoiding impacts to Lake Louisa State Park. This segment will feature the CFX Advancing Sustainability Through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE) Pilot Project which will test a solution that “brings the charge to the vehicle” for both consumer and commercial electric vehicles through the electrification of the roadway to charge vehicles at highway speeds. The pilot project will introduce a wireless charging system installed within a 3/4 mile long section of this segment. The system will only work on specially equipped vehicles that will be used for initial testing of the charging lane.
Construction start: 2026
Estimated Construction Completion: 2029
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Segment 2 – Cook Road to the Orange/Lake County Line
Project Type: Construction
Construction of the 1.9-mile segment includes an interchange with the future extension of County Road 455 being planned by Lake County.
Construction Start: 2026
Estimated Construction Completion: 2029
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Segment 3 – Orange/Lake County Line to SR 429
Project Type: Construction
Construction of the 0.9-mile segment includes interchange ramps with Valencia Parkway, a systems interchange with SR 429, toll gantries at interchange ramps, and a segment of Valencia Parkway between the interchange ramps and Schofield Road. The interchange at SR 429 and Schofield Road will remain.
Construction Start: May 2024
Estimated Construction Completion: Early 2027
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.