Officials plan to increase number of lanes on SR 417 in Seminole County

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A big upgrade may be coming to State Road 417 in Seminole County.

The Turnpike Authority informed county officials they plan to increase the number of lanes from the Orange County and Seminole line to 434 in Winter Springs from four to eight lanes to help break up traffic congestion.

“FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) is committed to widening and repaving from the Orange Seminole County line to the 434 interchange,” said Jay Zembower, chairman of Seminole County commissioners.

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Zembower said more people are utilizing the Seminole Parkway.

“I think widening is going to be very important as things continue to connect in the metropolitan area. We need to be able to move seamlessly. We are as good as we can without having a backlog at the Seminole County line, 'cause that’s what we are having now,” Zembower said.

The plans will also include noise walls and interchange improvements at the interchanges along the 417 at Aloma Avenue, Red Bug Lake Road and State Road 434.

Express lanes are not part of the plan.

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Work isn’t supposed to start on the widening of the 417 until 2025.

Drivers said it should help during peak times.

“I think it’s going to reduce the amount of commuter traffic in the mornings. I know I drive the 417 around the turnpike regularly. It’s pretty crowded around the university area especially. So, I think widening is a pretty good idea," said Jeremy Smallwood, of Oviedo.

Officials have not said why construction is not expected to start until 2025.

Officials said they must first conduct studies of the road and the area, which takes a long time.

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