Winter Park leaders to discuss changes to stretch of Orange Avenue

WINTER PARK, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation is working on a plan to reduce crashes on a half-mile stretch of Orange Avenue in Winter Park.

The plan was prompted by a New Year’s Eve crash in which investigators said a driver traveling 100 mph in a BMW plowed into an SUV, killing two people.

It led to an investigation into other issues on Orange Avenue from Clay Avenue to South Orlando Avenue.

Mark Swanson was in his home when he heard the New Year’s Eve crash.

“It was the loudest noise I ever heard in my life,” he said.

The city asked FDOT to investigate whether crashes in the area are common.

According to a report, drivers, on average, are traveling about 6 mph over the speed limit.

Reports show there have been 11 crashes on the half-mile stretch within two years.

An average of 14,000 drivers travel on the stretch of Orange Avenue every day.

Possible changes may include narrowing the road, erecting speed message signs and restricting turns from side streets during certain hours.

The Winter Park City Council will discuss ideas, but the state’s investigation should be complete in about a month.

Cox Media Group