Posted by 
Jeannette Rivera-Lyles | Sentinel Staff Writer
June 22, 2009
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Osceola County will spend more than $200 million to improve roads starting this summer in the hope of stimulating the county’s economy.
The road projects, which County Manager Michael Freilinger is calling a “local stimulus package,” include:
- Widening Narcoossee and Boggy Creek roads, which connect Osceola with the emerging “medical city” at Lake Nona, from two to four lanes.
- Widening Osceola Parkway from four to six lanes from Florida’s Turnpike to Buenaventura Boulevard. The parkway connects the Kissimmee area with the Disney theme parks.
- Building a flyover for John Young Parkway at Osceola Parkway.
- Widening Old Lake Wilson and Goodman roads.
- Widening a portion of Poinciana Boulevard.
Construction is to begin this year, and completion is expected within 18 months.
About $100 million will come from bonds the county has issued. Another $85 million will come from development impact fees, and the rest will come from general funds.
The idea is that spending money on roads will put more people to work and benefit local businesses. Still, county officials had to postpone more than $500 million worth of other road projects because of economic conditions. The projects chosen are those that county commissioners deem critical for economic development.
“We need to do these roads or we’re going to be behind,” Commissioner Ken Smith said Monday. “There are tremendous opportunities in this area.”
Commission Chairman John Quinones called it “a situation in which the glass is half full. Yes, there are some projects that will be delayed. But I don’t think there’s ever been a situation in which we have spent this kind of money in roads. I don’t think there’s any other region that is doing this kind of work.”
Some of the road contracts will go out for bids right away, Freilinger said.
