429, 535 & the Northerners
Just a quick note: If you are a west Orlando resident, I was recently informed that 429 (Western Expressway, Beltway, whatever we’re calling it these days) makes a cool connection. It will take you to the back of Disney property–the Coronado Springs/Blizzard Beach area–which would get rid of the need for a trip down the creepy, congested C.R. 535/Winter Garden-Vineland Rd. No word yet on which exchange will let you off there, but I’m told you’re able to see the back of the new Everest attraction. (In other words, if you don’t see a rollercoaster when you merge off of the highway, it’s time to turn around.)
While we’re on the subject of Winter Garden-Vineland…what’s going on with that road, anyway? It used to be a twisty old country road that was only used by the Disney workers in Winter Garden. Now it’s a four-lane health hazard with red lights at random intervals and a sea of half-built condos. I will never understand how a road with no malls, no restaurants, no convenience stores, and a single Publix can pack itself with cars like Los Angeles at rush hour. I don’t like to stereotype here, but I’m sick of getting run off the road by displaced Northerners in SUV’s the size of my apartment. Did the entire city of New York re-locate itself right behind Disney property or something? Because if I’m seeing this many Northerners down there, I’m trying to figure out who the heck is actually left up north.
I don’t know what I’ll do with myself if I can avoid the road completely. I guess I’ll spend my time doing something safer–cliff diving, maybe, or piloting fighter jets…
(And I don’t hate people from up north, so please don’t start “Julie Hates New Yorkers!” rumors. I love all new people who love Florida. Really. I’m sure the poor Northerners are none too pleased with me sometimes, so we’re even.)
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The road that leads to Disney is known as Western Way. Although I personally haven’t been on the road yet, the exit number from 429 should be Exit #8. The remainder of the southern portion of the 429 should be complete by the end of the year.
Here’s an official map from the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/turnpikepio/pdfs/westernbeltway.pdf
Wikipedia has some great information on the project: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_Road_429
Orange County has some plans for future expansion of County Road 535/Winter Garden - Vineland Road, but nothing within the next five years. As far as why there is so much traffic, the reason is because the road was not built to handle the immense amount of growth in that area. Winter Garden/Ocoee/Windermere, etc. are experiencing a tremendous growth spurt right now. That’s why the completion of the 429 is so vitally important to that side of Orange County…to alleviate some (or most) of the traffic off of 535.
Here is a listing of transportation plans for the next five years: http://www.metroplanorlando.com/site/upload/documents/TIP_Web.pdf
More at http://www.metroplanorlando.com.
Julie, no the entire city of New York didn’t move down there - they’ve also taken over Connecticut, New Jersey, and even the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. I can commiserate with you, because our housing costs have jumped to ridiculous levels because of the New Yorkers trying to get out of New York - a house down the street from us just sold for $740,000.00 - and we live in what I consider a moderate area of town - not ritzy by any means. I caught your site because we’re coming down to Disney for vacation next week and I was doing some research, but I had to reply to your remark because it hit so close to home. Don’t worry, we won’t be moving down there - I can’t medically tolerate living in the heat - I want to move to Maine - I don’t think the New Yorkers will go there - it’s too much of a commute into the city for them (I hope). Don’t ever apologize for stating your opinion - especially when you’re right!