New section of Wekiva Parkway set to open Monday

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation is set to open a new section of State Road 429 on Aug.1.

FDOT will open the northbound/eastbound section of Wekiva Parkway from Longwood-Markham Road to near Orange Boulevard.

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The new section will have ramps east of Ross Lake Lane and west of Orange Boulevard.

The S.R. 429 southbound/westbound lanes will open later this month.

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According to a news release, this stretch of the elevated parkway will “enhance safety by separating through traffic from local traffic, while also making travel easier and reducing commute times.”

The elevated parkway also will reduce vehicle conflicts with wildlife.

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The toll for this section for two-axle vehicles is $0.25 for SunPass customers and $0.50 for those using Toll-by-Plate.

The new section features a 10-foot-wide sidewalk for those walking or cycling along the south side of the corridor.

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The release stated: “The 25-mile Wekiva Parkway is completing Central Florida’s beltway, while helping to protect wildlife and other natural resources surrounding the Wekiva River. The Wekiva River is a National Wild and Scenic River and Florida Outstanding Waterway. The entire $1.6 billion Wekiva Parkway is expected to be open to traffic in early 2023.”

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