ORLANDO, Fla. – A major infrastructure project in downtown Orlando set to kick off on Monday is expected to disrupt traffic for months.
The city has closed a key section of Summerlin Avenue as part of a long-term effort to replace aging underground systems and prevent future failures.
[Watch video below to see how nearby worker describes traffic in area]
Westbound South Street is now reduced to one lane. In addition, drivers traveling on Summerlin Avenue will face a series of detours.
Southbound traffic will be rerouted through Pine Street, Thornton Avenue, and Palmer Street. Northbound drivers will detour via Anderson Street, Mills Avenue, Jackson Street, Brown Avenue, Central Boulevard, and eventually reconnect with Summerlin.
For workers and business owners in the area, the news is met with frustration.
“Oh, my gosh. What a nightmare,” said Connie Boone, who works nearby. “This road out here is so horrible. Now, with speeders as it is, I can’t picture five months of construction.”
The project stems from a 2012 incident in the Eola Heights neighborhood, where an 80-year-old, 20-inch water pipe burst. The rupture flooded streets, submerged cars, and left behind a massive crater in the road.
To avoid a repeat of that costly and dangerous event, the city and Orlando Utilities Commission are replacing 1.5 miles of aging pipeline. Crews are also upgrading the sewer, stormwater, and fire protection systems in the area.
“This is just something that comes along with the process as our infrastructure ages around here,” said Corey Knight, director of public works. “We want to be mindful that we don’t want to have problems in the future.”
The work is taking place in a busy part of downtown, near Howard Middle School and several local cafés and shops.
Knight stressed that while the road will be closed to through traffic, access to businesses and homes will be maintained throughout the project.
“We’re still going to have access to businesses,” he said. “Services are still going to be able to pick up the trash and things like that. We just want drivers to plan alternate routes to help out.”
This marks the beginning of a multi-year infrastructure project that won’t be fully completed until at least 2028.
City officials are encouraging residents to stay updated on detours, give themselves extra time for commutes, and remain patient as the work continues.
