ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – After nearly a decade of delays, long-awaited road improvements are finally on the way for one of Central Florida’s fastest-growing communities.
Orange County officials have approved a $63 million project to widen Ficquette Road, a key north-south route connecting Horizon West and Windermere. For years, drivers have faced daily backups where the four-lane road suddenly narrows to two.
Plans to expand the stretch have been in the works since at least 2016 but were held up by the complexities of a public–private partnership. Because portions of the widening depended on agreements with private landowners, progress stalled as those negotiations played out.
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In the meantime, Horizon West’s population has surged nearly 50% over the past decade, fueled by new neighborhoods, schools, and businesses. Residents say the growth has outpaced the infrastructure meant to support it.
Officials now say the project is moving ahead, with construction scheduled to begin in January. The widening is expected to take about two years to complete, promising smoother commutes for thousands of drivers once finished.
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