ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Drivers might find a trip on State Road 50, or Colonial Drive, in east Orange County to be a congested and aggravating one, but Channel 9's Racquel Asa has learned that travel on the road is going to get worse, before it gets better.
On Monday, crews began widening the road between Dean Road and Avalon Park Boulevard.
Workers have started marking off the utility lines so crews know where to use caution when they start digging up the road.
It's a multimillion-dollar project that promises to make traffic less congested, once it's done.
"(The drive) from Econ down to almost Union Park and Lake Pickett (takes) about an hour. That's too long," said driver Shunteese Smith
The project not only widens the road from four to six lanes, but it adds sidewalks and bike lanes.
Skateboarder Will Torres told Asa he's looking forward to the additions.
"My skateboard is how I get around the most, if I'm not riding a bicycle," said Torres.
The changes will also mean a new traffic pattern for drivers.
One of the biggest changes includes taking out a traffic light and closing the median in front of the Walmart at S.R. 50 and Rouse Lake Road, forcing drivers leaving the store to turn right.
A traffic light will be added a quarter-mile west of the center at Lake Berge Road.
Approximately eight medians will be closed off to drivers in the 5-mile stretch once the project is complete.
Business owners along the construction route are bracing for the impact.
"Right now it's congested as it is. I don't know, but it's going to be a mess," said Oscar Davis, who works on Colonial Drive.
The widening project is expected to take three years to complete.