Drivers can expect major changes with new State Road 434 project

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County drivers who travel along State Road 434 can expect some major changes in a few weeks when a new road project is set to begin.

State Road 434 from Interstate 4 to Range Line Road will be torn up and expanded to six lanes.

WFTV's Racquel Asa found out how the changes will impact nearly 40,000 drivers.

From an extra lane in each direction to new medians with restricted turns, the $54 million project will take two years to finish.

Crews have already torn down trees and started building a concrete wall for some residents affected by the project.

• S.R. 434 Construction: Bid Plans | Access Mgmt. Brochure

Betty Brint has her opinions about it. She lives right off SR 434 by Tarrytown Trail and said it's going to be a mess.

"I'm all for them improving the road, but I'm all for them putting a light there, because the light will give us the opportunity to get out," she said.

But WFTV looked through the 17-page construction plan and all they have planned is a stop sign.

"Traffic operations is looking at that median open at Tarrytown Road and we'll see if some adjustments can be made there," said Steve Olson, spokesman for the State Department of Transportation.

The extra lanes are supposed to get cars onto I-4 faster. But WFTV found out the extra lanes won't completely eliminate the congestion on SR 434.

The heart of the problem is at the I-4 and State Road 434 interchange, which won't be fixed until I-4 is widened in 2014.

"You do things in increments and parts and this part is the SR 434 improvement and then along comes I-4," said Olsen.

Until then, Brint will go with the flow.

"You can't really fight them," she said.

WFTV