Wekiva Parkway

Project Overview
HNTB designed and prepared the plan for the first segment of the new, four-lane, divided, limited-access Wekiva Parkway in Orlando. The project extends SR 429 2.3 miles to the north, completing the remaining half of a single-point urban interchange, 12 bridges with associated walls, lighting, signals, signing and pavement marking, ITS, utility coordination and traffic maintenance.

Strategy
A common theme that arose from the exhaustive community engagement during the planning of the SR 429 extension was that it should have a “parkway feel” and should fit in with its rustic and natural surroundings. HNTB’s design, which included haunched bridge beams conducive to achieving a parkway feel, panel walls featuring the look of natural stacked stone and bifurcated roadways to give motorists more scenic views, set the aesthetic standards that then were reflected throughout the entire 25-mile Wekiva Parkway.

The all-electronic tolled parkway represents the final link in the Central Florida Beltway encircling metropolitan Orlando.

Results
Central Florida’s new Wekiva Parkway delivers community pride and a highly effective transportation solution. Specifically, it has provided tremendous congestion relief and more travel options for commuters.