Local

Downtown Orlando street closure creates traffic woes

ORLANDO, Fla. — A portion of South Orange Avenue between South and Anderson streets, which serves as an access to State Road 408, will be closed for the next few weeks while work is done on the street.
 
For those driving in downtown Orlando, patience will be a necessity.
 
Traffic backup up Monday morning as drivers worked their way around the construction. Despite warning about the road closure, a number of drivers appeared to be taken by surprise.
 
A 1,000-foot stretch of South Orange Avenue is closed as crews work to make pedestrian safety improvements, as well as restructure and repave the road in preparation for the Interstate 4 widening project set to start next year.
 
Downtown business have been preparing for the street closure.
 
"We are pretty much right in the thick of it," said Aloft Hotel general manager Craig Leicester. "We've sent notifications out to all of our registered guests who have reservations in advance."
 
Leicester said his hotel provided guests with directions to get around the construction. The road closure is expected to last until Aug. 10.