Construction crews have begun working on a series of improvements to impact pedestrian safety along two major roadways near the University of Central Florida.
On Monday, crews began working on the major project to transform a stretches of Alafaya Trail and University Boulevard, according to a press release issued by Orange County Government officials. The project is a collaboration between the school, the Florida Department of Transportation, and Orange County, according to the release.
The total length of the project is 2.1 miles, focusing on the stretch on Alafaya Trail between Research Parkway and McCulloch Road, as well as the stretch on University Boulevard between Quadrangle Boulevard and Alafaya Trail.
Improvements will include the addition of pedestrian fencing and landscaping in the medians to direct people to crosswalks, as well as a 10-foot-wide pedestrian/bike path running the entire length of UCF’s property along the east side of Alafaya Trial, with pedestrian scale lighting.
The organizations will also look to add signalized, mid-block crosswalks at the intersections of Alafaya Trail and Solon Drive and University Boulevard and Turbine Drive. Those crosswalks will feature pedestrian-activated stop lights and textured colored pavement, according to the county.
The county is funding the $13.2 million project, with UCF contributing approximately $600,000 toward the construction. FDOT is funding the roadway lighting upgrades along the corridor, according to the county.
The project is projected to be complete by Spring 2025, barring any setbacks due to weather or other conditions.