Overview
The Wekiva Parkway Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is a cooperative effort between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) that was initiated in 2005. Authorized in 2004 by the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act (Chapter 369, Part III, F.S.), the Wekiva Parkway (SR 429) would complete the beltway around northwest metropolitan Orlando. The proposed 27-mile parkway would provide an alternative to Interstate 4, and relieve SR 46, US 441 and other area roads of traffic congestion resulting from intensifying growth and travel between Orange, Lake and Seminole Counties.
WHAT IS A PD&E STUDY?
A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is the formal process that transportation entities such as OOCEA and FDOT, use to ensure that consideration is given to engineering design, project costs, environmental and social impacts and public input in the development of major transportation projects.
The basic steps of a PD&E Study include data collection, development and analysis of the alternatives, development of project documents and final approval. Public involvement is a very important part of the PD&E process and there will continue to be several formal opportunities during this study for the public to provide input on the project.
STUDY UPDATE
April 2010: The study team is coordinating with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to obtain the appropriate approvals to move forward with the recommended Preferred Alternative alignment. Once approved by FHWA, we will move forward with public hearings in each of the impacted counties.
Funding options and opportunities for the parkway is ongoing throughout the current PD&E process and will continue as the project moves into the final design phases.