ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — After years of planning and a traffic study, a $13.2 million project aimed at improving pedestrian safety around the University of Central Florida’s main campus kicked off Monday.
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The project, which is centered on University Boulevard and Alafaya Trail, is a collaboration between the university, Orange County Government and the Florida Department of Transportation.
The county said it is funding the project, and UCF will contribute more than $600,000 toward construction.
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FDOT is funding roadway lighting upgrades along the corridor, the county said.
The 2.1-mile project will affect Alafaya Trail -- between Research Parkway and McCulloch Road -- and University Boulevard, from Quadrangle Boulevard to Alafaya Trail.
Planned improvements
The county said the project will include the following safety improvements:
• Pedestrian fencing and landscaping in the medians to direct people to crosswalks.
• A 10-foot-wide pedestrian/bike path running the entire length of UCF’s property along the east side of Alafaya Trail with pedestrian-scale lighting.
• Signalized mid-block crosswalks at Alafaya Trail and Solon Drive and at University Boulevard and Turbine Drive that feature pedestrian-activated stop lights and textured colored pavement.
• Improvements at major intersections, including high-visibility crosswalks and smaller turning radii to slow down vehicle traffic.
• Textured crosswalks at smaller roads and driveways.
• Upgraded LED roadway lighting along Alafaya Trail for better visibility.
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Recent improvements
The county said the following safety improvements have already been made:
• A multimodal sidewalk along UCF’s northern border parallel to McCulloch Road.
• Pedestrian warning flashers along Alafaya Trail -- between University Boulevard and Central Florida Boulevard -- and on University Boulevard near Alafaya Trail.
• “Watch for peds” messages painted on the roadway near the warning flashers.
• Flashing yellow arrows to alert drivers at three corners of the intersection of University Boulevard and Alafaya Trail.
• Crosswalk signs on campus at the three-way intersection of Gemini Boulevard, Aquarius Agora Drive and Greek Park Drive.
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The project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2025, barring any major delays caused by weather or other conditions.
See a map of the area below:
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