SR-429 roadwork to wrap up soon

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The New Year brings a new road for West Orange County drivers and for those who use State Road 429 into Lake County.

On Jan. 19, the Expressway Authority will open the new $56 million ramp on SR-429 and rename the old one.

Driver Michael Blommel said he has watched the work for the last year and half. Once finished, the ramp will save him time on his commute.

“It's a big plus for me, because it will probably shave five or 10 minutes off my commute in the morning,” he said.

Coming from Lake County, drivers will now have an entrance onto the SR-429 by Plymouth Sorrento Road.

But the confusion over the new ramp will happen when drivers are on SR-429 northbound heading toward the Orange Blossom Trail. Staying to the left will now get drivers to Mount Dora and Zellwood. That will become the new SR-429.

But staying right will take drivers to Apopka and SR-414 toward Maitland. The exit to Apopka will then become 451.

Drivers like Jeff Green told WFTV he'll probably get lost a couple times before he remembers which is the right way.

“The construction now, how they have the lanes split, is a little confusing,” he said. “I've actually missed my off ramp a time or two.”

It's an adjustment more than 15,000 drivers on the SR-429 will have to make.

The Expressway Authority has created a video to help drivers navigate the new ramp before it opens.

WFTV