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I recently wrote to Commissioner Linda Stewart for an update on the progress of Innovation Way. In a nutshell, I was informed that:

• the widening of Alafaya Trail will begin during 2009
• Innovation Way will stop short 800ft north of the Beachline and will be complete December 2008
• Innovation Way/Beachline Interchange is projected to begin 2009 and be complete in 2011
• Innovation Way from the Beachline to the 417 is projected to be complete some time between 2012 and 2017

Here is the reply I received from her aide, Sandra Patricia Camacho:

Mayor Crotty’s 2005 State of the County Address, “Blueprint for Orange County’s Future”, outlined a vision for a high technology corridor in east Orange County extending from the University of Central Florida to the Orlando International Airport. Innovation Way, an integral part of this high tech corridor, entails in part a series of roadway improvement projects extending from Mark Twain Boulevard (to the north) to State Road 417 (to the south, adjacent to Lake Nona and the planned Burnham Institute). A unique and innovative approach, consisting of public/private partnership agreements between the county and several private development owners primarily along existing and planned extensions of Alafaya Trail (Innovation Way), will ensure the funding and acceleration of these road improvements. Due to great interest in the roadway projects, our staff is providing this official update. Mr. Jim Harrison, Growth Management Director, will be sending periodic updates after the first of the year.
The first of these projects is the widening of Alafaya Trail from the existing two lanes to a four lane configuration between Mark Twain Boulevard and Avalon Park Boulevard, a length of 3.74 miles. Along with the county, private developers (Avalon Associates, Stoneybrook Marketplace and Morgran) have all participated in the costs of improvement. The majority of the widening will take place within the existing right of way, minimizing impacts to existing development along the corridor, although new retention ponds will be needed to accommodate water runoff. Design of this widening is nearly complete, and construction is anticipated to start in 2009. The project should be complete within two years. The schedule of improvements has remained relatively unchanged since a December 2005 feasibility study funded by private development.
A new extension of Alafaya Trail, called Innovation Way, will extend from the intersection of Avalon Park Boulevard/Alafaya Trail to approximately 800 feet north of the Beach Line (SR 528). This project consists of a new four lane roadway, 4.8 miles in length. The public/private partnership formed for this project includes Orange County, International Corporate Park and the Orlando Utilities Commission. Importantly, the design and right of way needed for this project was provided to the county at significant savings to the taxpayers – again owing to the public/private partnership which avoided condemnation and other associated high costs. This project is currently under construction and is, in fact, well ahead of schedule. It is anticipated to be complete by December 2008.
Next, the Innovation Way/Beach Line Interchange is a critical linchpin for the implementation of the road improvement program in east Orange County. The ultimate improvement planned for this location entails a major new interchange connecting the Innovation Way extension to the Beach Line and to a future road south of the Beach Line which will connect with SR 417 near the proposed Burnham Institute. Orange County, International Corporate Park (ICP) and the Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) entered into an agreement in March 2006 to provide for the construction of this important interchange. Under this agreement, the three entities will pay for their fair share of the construction costs (total cost is approximately $25 million), and have certain other responsibilities. ICP, in addition to sharing construction costs, is to provide the design plans and necessary right of way, at no cost to Orange County taxpayers.
The design plan submittals for this interchange have been delayed and are approximately one year behind the originally anticipated schedule, affecting the right of way conveyance and the construction schedule –since neither can commence until final design plans are completed. However, the County is working with ICP and OOCEA to implement an acceleration plan that will get this important project back on track and completed as quickly as possible. The final schedule will be further refined as design is completed and final right of way needs and permitting issues are identified, but at this time the parties expect that construction will begin in early 2009 and completed in approximately two years. Although there has been some delay in this critical project, all parties remain committed to proceed and adhere to the terms of the agreement approved by the Board of County Commissioners in March 2006 – and construct this interchange.
The final leg of the Innovation Way Corridor consists of distinct roadway segments extending from the Beach Line to SR 417. The county is currently in negotiations with the pertinent property owners to finalize plans for this critical connection. The first two miles of this corridor (from SR 417 to the east) have been defined within the Innovation Place Development of Regional Impact (DRI) and associated pending agreements. Although agreements presently under consideration (as well as future agreements) for this area, contemplate major road projects, transportation improvements within the area south of the Beach Line and west of the SR 417 (Innovation Way Study Area) will also consist of major transit improvements. Therefore, as part of the negotiated agreements with property owners, a transit corridor traversing this area will be preserved for an eventual integrated transportation system consisting of roads, mass transit services, trails, bike paths and other multimodal infrastructure. The final schedule for the new roadway south of the Beach Line is presently being developed – with the goal of completing this connection within the next 5 to 10 years.Sincerely,

Commissioner Linda Stewart’s OfficeSandra Patricia Camacho
Aide to Commissioner StewartDistrict 4