Airports can be chaotic to maneuver under the best circumstances, and with a record 49 million visitors to the area last year drawn to beautiful weather and vacation destinations, local commuters and business travelers continue to increase airport traffic.

Without adequate transportation options, congestion is further exacerbated as airport users exit into the city.  Without diverse modes of transit to and from the airport, precious revenues could be easily driven from the area.

“It is a testament to the Expressway Authority board that they had vision to invest in infrastructure to help customers and understand value as a economic engine for the area,” says Lindsay Hodges, manager of public relations and communication with the Expressway Authority.  Possibly, nowhere in the area can the vision be more appreciated than when traveling to and from the Orlando International Airport.  Improvements are planned for the airport area toll plaza on the north side with improved access from 417 and Boggy Creek on the South side.  Eventually there will even be turnpike access from 417 near the airport.

Ground options abound for visitors who have to travel many of Central Florida’s toll roads. Agreements have been arranged with a number of the rental car companies offering flat daily rates or rates by tolls that are consistent throughout the State. With many toll plazas evolving into cashless systems, similarly to those in the Tampa area, these agreements offer convenience and savings to consumers.  Another transportation option for Disney hotel guests is the Magical Express that picks up and drops off travelers at no cost. As with all airports, there is an array of taxi, bus and shuttle services.

For those who use Orlando International as their home airport, a key entity with an eye on future transportation options is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Known as MetroPlan Orlando, their primary responsibility consists of long range transportation planning activities encompassing a 20 year period supported by interim shorter range reviews.  Typically MPO’s in urban areas are single county organizations while here in Orlando, Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties are incorporated for planning.   An MPO is required in order for a community to receive Federal transportation dollars.

“Roadways will always be part of transportation but we are running out of space.  A full network of transportation is an evolutionary process. All modes of transportation have to be considered when planning,” says Kelley Teague, director of Public Affairs for MetroPlan. “If planning wasn’t done in unison, air service could be fantastic, but road access would be a nightmare.”

Teague continues, “Presenting transportation as Economic Development is easy to articulate but hard for most people to grasp.”  Consider the proposed light rail project valued at a cost of $1.2 billion, SunRail. Without foresight to retain an envelope of land paralleling I-4, Sunrail would most likely have been out of the question.  If the land would have even been available, costs to purchase it would have most likely been astronomical.  With sights set to run in 2013, the initial rail leg will be an East-West line running from the Convention Center to the airport with stops at Sandlake Road, Airport and Medical City.

Although MetroPlan, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, and the Expressway Authority each have distinct responsibilities, teamwork and cooperation is paramount.  Each contributor plays a cutting edge role in providing user friendly transportation options for Central Florida’s communities.

Article by Monica King

When we’re kids, getting a bike is just about the coolest thing that could happen.

You pick one out of a line-up, ask for it on your birthday and wait impatiently, getting jealous of the kid down the street who has a fancy one with the custom paint job.

But somehow, when age 16 hits, the bikes suddenly start to collect dust. We opt, instead, for driving in cars with our radios turned up as our bikes get rusty and lose their luster.

It doesn’t have to be that way because cycling is cool again, and believe it or not - it can not only fit into our adult lifestyles, but it can improve them.

Jim Perry, president and co-founder of the East Side Cycling Club in Avalon Park, has been seriously cycling since 2006.

“I ran for years, but with work I got too slow and heavy,” Perry says. “I got to a point where I had to do something, and I had always liked riding a bike.”

Perry has lost over 40 pounds since he started cycling.

While losing weight is an obvious positive benefit, Perry has also found a great stress relief in his bicycle, as well as a great social tool.

The East Side Cycling Club was formed unofficially in February of 2009, when a group of cyclists from the Avalon Park YMCA started cycling and wanted a larger group ride.

“The reality is that through the group, I’ve made a lot of really good friends with people that I wouldn’t have necessarily met if it weren’t for cycling,” Perry says.

The East Side Cycling Club meets on Saturday mornings and usually rides about 50 miles. The group consists of roughly 20-40 people with varying ages. The club is divided into three sections, with a designated group for beginners.

But what about riding your bike for transportation?

There are many people who enjoy cycling and do it recreationally but are restricted from using it as transportation because of a lack of shower facilities in their offices.

Bill Edgar, master police officer with Orlando Police Department, is the Master Instructor for the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association.

Because Edgar has access to a full gym and showers, it’s much easier for him to commute to work - a privilege he takes advantage of as often as he can.

Edgar started biking to work in 2004 when he first got a road bike. His 24 mile commute even takes him on the insanity known as Colonial Drive.

Not only does Edgar value the physical benefits of cycling, but also the financial ones. He estimates that by cycling to work he saves eight to ten dollars a day on car expenses like tolls and gas.

There are also obvious ways that cycling instead of driving can help the environment.

“The air we’re breathing isn’t getting any cleaner,” Perry says. “And oil isn’t a replenishing thing. If everybody just did one day of cycling instead of driving, can you imagine how much fuel we could save? How much cleaner the air could be?”

Edgar suggests that it’s important to have a plan if you’re interested in commuting to work. Pack up what you need - change of clothes, lights, helmet, reflective clothing and even some baby wipes if you don’t have showers at your office.

The League of American Bicyclists offers two courses that help those interested in cycling learn more - Traffic 101 and Cycling Savvy.

“If you’re gonna cycle, you really should know your rights as a cyclist,” Edgar says.

Article by Katelyn Schmidt

Who, at some point, has not been affected by the bane known as the morning commute?  Generally, the surface street gridlock is avoided through the use of expressways. Found world-wide, these roadways typically hold hostages between 7 and 9 a.m. and 4 and 7 p.m., but are expedient and safer as most accidents occur at stop and go movements.

In Central Florida, State Roads 417, 528, 414, 429, and 408 are expressways with odd numbers running North and South and evens heading East and West. Discuss these roads with friends and a common thread will most likely emerge: tolls.

But what’s the truth behind tolls on our roadways? Lindsay Hodges, manager of public relations and communications with the Expressway Authority, shares some light on the subject.

In the 1960’s, when Orlando’s population was estimated at 337,516, and Eisenhower’s initiative implementing interstate highway systems was in place, the small Central Florida town lacked infrastructure.  Toward the end of that decade, local leaders decided to make investments into a network of roadways.  Funded by bonds, tolls were implemented to repay debt.  That debt must have been paid by now, right? But no documentation, to this point, has been found to indicate that once roadways were done, tolls would be absolved.

As an agency of the state consisting of a 5 member board, the Orange County Mayor, three government appointees, and a representative of District 5 for Florida’s Department of Transportation, the Expressway Authority has the responsibility to diligently balance toll rates against needs for expansion and maintenance of the infrastructure servicing the current average population of more than 1.5 million.  Meeting the fourth Wednesday of every month, the public is welcome to attend and address the board. Discussions typically include prioritization of projects, master planning, gathering and evaluation of utilization and financial statistics and study reviews.

The Expressway Authority receives a very small portion of outside funding.  Maintenance, expansion and safety initiatives are funded by tolls. When thinking tolls, “it is key to remember that Florida is a donor state,” says Hodges. “We contribute more (as a state) in gas tax dollars to the Federal Government for the building of roads in smaller states. The dollars you spend on local tolls through the Expressway Authority stay local affording the community far more control over their own dollars.”

As far as saving money on tolls goes, drivers are presented with two options currently: don’t use the roads or take advantage of the discounted rates available through E-Pass systems. Perhaps something that could lessen the sting. Engines still run most effectively at consistent speeds that expressways offer, according to “Car Math Calculators,” so there’s always that positive to consider while traveling our toll roads.

Another consideration; how valuable is safety? Commenting on her favorite subject, Road Rangers, Hodges says, “They keep traffic moving to not create additional hazards.  They are one of our greatest assets and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a negative comment on Road Rangers.”  Paid for through some toll dollars in a joint contract between the Expressway and Turnpike Authorities, patrolling 365 day a year, they are often dispatched though workers in Department of Transportation Monitoring Centers observing a live video feed from 140 cameras

As for future plans of the Expressway Authority in East Orange, work is underway to provide toll equity reducing the Beachline toll to $.75 along with the Dallas Blvd toll being adjusted to $.75. The International Corporate Park (ICP) toll will also be reduced.

For a complete Expressway Authority fact sheet, including a map of the project, click here.

Article by Monica King

Do you currently have a love-hate relationship with your car? Between the rise of gas prices, tolls and vehicle maintenance costs, many individuals are turning to transportation alternatives.

The LYNX bus system continues to grow in popularity as a dependable transportation method for business professionals, students and families. However, you may notice there are limited bus systems running through East Orlando. So when will there be more routes and options available for those residing in the areas surrounding Avalon Park, Lake Nona and Alafaya Trail?

Good question. The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority operates the LYNX bus system, which serves Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. Currently there is no dedicated funding for LYNX and the system depends on fares and contributions from the individual counties, as well as the City of Orlando, to assist with the annual $112 million budget.

LYNX remains focused on the restructuring of current services rather than the expansion of services, after the Florida Department of Transportation’s announcement that the service development program has been suspended until further notification.

According to a 2030 PawPrint Master Plan developed by LYNX, the organization plans to construct six corridors between Orlando International Airport and the University of Central Florida. Prior to implementing these plans, LYNX must research and identify segments, examine the segment potential, as well as complete the corridor prioritization and transit demand throughout the East Orlando community.

Matt Friedman, a spokesperson for LYNX, adds, “I am still waiting to hear back from planning regarding any long-term plans. Regardless, it will come down to who is going to fund the service.”

Recently, a highly anticipated late-night bus service has put its mark on many local students and residents, however. The Student Government Association at the University of Central Florida, in partnership with LYNX, has established KnightLYNX, a bus service operating from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. This new program, which will operate throughout fall, spring, and ‘Summer B’ semesters, serves as a safe nightlife alternative for students, as well as other East Orlando community members.

KnightLYNX consists of two routes with stops around campus, nearby shopping plazas including the University Palms and Waterford Lakes shopping centers, as well as an assortment of apartment complexes. The KnightDrive Director at UCF, Adam Brock, is optimistic about expansion possibilities. “We aren’t looking to change the route this semester, but we are creating a future plan for the program which would involve additional routes and nights of service,” explains Brock.

The four buses, two designated to each route, have a capacity of 28-seated passengers, or a maximum of 42 passengers with standing room. Although money to fund the service comes from UCF Student Activity and Service Fees, non-students may take advantage of the bus as well for a minimum charge.

“All UCF students with a valid UCF ID card can ride the bus as much as they want for free. Anyone who does not have a UCF ID card must pay $2 each time they get on the bus,” says Brock. “This program has gotten very popular and can only grow as our marketing plan plays its part week after week. In the first two weeks of operation, we have serviced over 700 students.”  Friedman explains the goal of KnightLYNX was, “an effort to provide all students with a safe, reliable form of transportation.”

Whether you are traveling to work, school, or even just the grocery store, transportation is a decision we make every day. But, if you’re looking forward to a LYNX bus taking you there in the near future, however, the decision might be a bit easier for you until a dedicated funding source can be identified.

Article by Carol Galbicsek

If you’ve lived in Orlando for over five minutes, you’ve experienced it. The frustrating feeling when you can’t switch lanes. The building anger as you watch the clock on your speedometer get farther and farther away from the start of your meeting. The thought that there’s just got to be something that somebody can do to help improve traffic.

Well, you’ll be happy to know there is, and they are.

Brian Sanders, chief transportation planner at the Orange County Public Works Department’s Transportation Planning Division, shared updates on the construction projects on Alafaya Trail, Narcoossee Road, and Highway 50.

While each of the three roads is set for improvements in the future, they have all taken different - you guessed it - routes to get to where they are, and where they’re going.

Alafaya Trail

According to Sanders, the idea of widening Alafaya Trail dates back to the early ’90’s - when Avalon Park, the Stanton Energy plant, the Econ River and the Orange County Landfill were considered the edge of the “development envelope.”

“As the years rolled by,” Sanders says, “development approvals have incrementally increased the densities along the Alafaya Trail corridor, thereby increasing peak periods of traffic which justified the need for the project.”

There’s a lot more involved in the Alafaya Trail project than just a simple widening of a road. There will also be major upgrades and relocations to existing utilities and the drainage swales along both sides of the road will be replaced with a closed storm water conveyance system.

The road, which now has two opposing travel lanes that typically have a pavement width of 24 feet, will be widened to about 59 1/2 feet, including a median that separates the travel lane pairs.

“The road improvements will also include a five-foot concrete sidewalk on the south side of the road, [and] a ten-foot multi-purpose path for pedestrians and bicyclists on the north side,” Sanders says.

Construction on Alafaya is estimated to take about 30 months from the contractor’s notice to proceed date. While the ground breaking for this project occurred on February 16, construction will begin in March. The project is anticipated to be complete sometime in August of 2013.

Over two years of construction is no small thing. But the widening of the road is going to benefit the community in several ways.

“The Alafaya Trail project is more than just adding vehicular capacity to the corridor,” Sanders says. “It is also about improving the quality of water that runs off the road which drains to the great Econ River basin, it’s about providing an easier and more healthful way for pedestrians and bicyclists to recreate, it’s about reducing fuel waste, wasted time and excess vehicle emissions from congestion, and the greatest benefit is the improved safety that is provided by constructing a multi-lane roadway with a controlled access management system.”

Sanders feels that the two most important things residents should practice during this upcoming time of construction are safety and patience.

“While at least two travel lanes will be maintained during the construction, motorists should budget extra time to get to their destinations,” Sanders says. “Understand construction will take at least two and a half years to complete, and have patience with the contractor and other motorists.”

Narcoossee Road

Narcoossee Road is also undergoing a makeover, as it is being widened by several agencies in both Orange County and Osceola County.

“Orange County is in the process of widening Narcoossee Road from Boggy Creek Road at the Orange/Osceola County line to State Road 417, the City of Orlando is widening State Road 15 (Narcoossee Road) from SR 417 to Lee Vista Boulevard in conjunction with Florida Department of Transportation and Osceola County is in the process of widening Narcoossee Road from U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimme to Boggy Creek Road at the Orange/Osceola County line,” Sanders says.

The good news about the daunting tasks above, is that the work has already begun, as you well have noticed if you’ve been on the roadway recently.

“Orange County’s portion of Narcoossee Road started construction in April of 2009 and is anticipated to be substantially complete in April of this year and open to traffic on all six lanes,” Sanders says.

Osceola County expects that their project should be complete by the summer of 2012.

While the City’s portion of Narcoossee Road started construction in September of 2008, it is currently at 70 percent completion and is anticipated to be complete by mid May of this year.

“The City incurred a major setback,” Sanders says, “when their road contractor declared voluntary default and transferred the responsibility for completing the project to their surety company to finish the work.”

Like the benefits of the Alafaya project, the updates on Narcoossee Road will improve the quality of water running into the Econ River basin, provide a safer way for pedestrians and bicyclists to move about, reduce fuel waste and make it quicker and safer to get where you’re going on Narcoossee with a multi-lane roadway.

Highway 50

Highway 50 being under construction is a fairly common theme in Orlando. With a road of its size, it’s no wonder that it’s a top priority in the region.

“East State Road 50 is being widened by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to a six-lane urban highway from State Road 436 (Semoran Boulevard) to east of Old Cheney Highway,” Sanders says.

According to Sanders, this improvement will be constructed in three phases. The first road project (State Road 436 to west of State Road 417– approximately 3.6 miles) was already completed in May of 2010 and it featured a new grade separated interchange at State Road 436. The second project (east of State Road 417 to Dean Road -  approximately 1 mile) began construction in December of 2010 and is expected to be completed in August of this year. The last road project (Dean Road to East of Old Cheney Highway– approximately 5.2 miles) is scheduled to start in 2013 and is anticipated to be completed sometime in 2015.

The project is being funded by State Sales Tax revenues as well as a mixture of federal funds.

While the project may be time consuming, it will be beneficial to the community in several ways once completed.

“The SR 50 roadway design was crafted to increase safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, improve runoff water quality, to reduce fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and travel times through reduced periods of traffic congestions,” Sanders says.

These widened roads may not stop other drivers from cutting you off, driving slowly in the left lane, or tailgating - but they will improve the overall quality of driving in the East Orlando area.

And that’s something we can all get on board with.

Article by Katelyn Schmidt