As Lake Nona continues to grow, we need to expand our road systems as well. Next summer, the city will widen Narcoossee Road from four to six lanes between the Beachline and Highway 417. In addition to expanding Narcoossee Road’s capacity, we will redesign the intersections at Lake Nona Boulevard, Moss Park Road, and Dowden Road to better accommodate today’s traffic patterns.

Final engineering is being completed, and I will hold several community meetings in early 2018 to share the roadway design and construction schedule. Look for an announcement of meeting dates and locations right after the first of the year. Construction bids will be procured in late spring with expansion work beginning next summer.

Also, our city traffic engineers are currently working with Orange County and the Central Florida Expressway authorities to explore options to improve traffic flow in all directions at the Narcoossee Road/417 interchange. We recognize this as a major access point that often creates traffic congestion and gridlock.

Finally, please understand that all the professionals involved in this expansion recognize the importance of Narcoossee Road to our local traffic flow. They have assured me every effort will be made to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible during construction, and I pledge to monitor their efforts to make sure that happens.

Here’s wishing everyone a very healthy and happy 2018!

City of Orlando Commissioner Jim Gray can be reached by email at Jim.Gray@CityofOrlando.net or by calling 407-246-2001.