In east Orange County, where traffic is a constant concern, some relief may be coming.

  • FDOT looking into State Road 408 expansion
  • Expressway Authority wants to add toll lanes to State Road 50
  • Expansion would end at State Road 520
  • LIVE Real Time Traffic Map

The Florida Department of Transportation said that it will consider taking up the State Road 408 extension project.

The seven-mile extension would stretch the East-West Expressway to State Road 520, instead of ending at State Road 50, where traffic is often snarled.

In recent weeks, the project seemed to reach a stalemate when the Central Florida Expressway Authority concluded that the best route for the road would be along the current State Road 50.

CFX suggested adding toll lanes in the federal-aid right of way on State Road 50, and using those for the 408 expansion.

FDOT now says it will look into what the best plan will be.

“I don’t know if it’s a turf war," said Ted Edwards, Orange County District 5 commissioner. “This is good news. We thought we were dead in the water. And now it looks like we’ll have a viable project that will move forward."

"The traffic is so bad," said George Meatos, who lives in a neighborhood right off SR 50 and the 408. “I’m supposed to spend nine minutes taking my son to school. I spend 30, sometimes 40 minutes.”

Regarding news that another agency would take the lead, CFX said Monday:

"We have just received the correspondence. CFX is here to be a part of the solution. Our board will have the opportunity to discuss this October 13 at their regular meeting."