Dear citizens,
As a new year begins, we are all eager and enthusiastic to get back to work and start planning new projects and developments. I am particularly excited about a significant roadway improvement project in District 3 that will directly impact the quality of life and safety of our community.
Six months ago, immediately after I was appointed to serve as your Orange County commissioner, I was approached by constituents and members of the Federation of Congregations United to Serve (FOCUS) about the traffic congestion along Econlockhatchee Trail and Valencia College Lane. They were also thirsting for information about the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority’s current construction project to reconfigure the State Road 417/State Road 408 interchange. Shortly thereafter, I held an informal on-site meeting during the evening rush hour near that intersection. Seeing the problem first hand gave me an understanding of the gravity of the situation, and I committed that I would work on your behalf in order to rectify it. I also pledged to organize a community meeting in conjunction with Orange County Public Works, the Expressway Authority and representatives from Valencia Community College.
As I started looking into this situation, I learned that the proposed improvements for Econ Trail were not scheduled until the year 2014 due to funding constraints. Regarding the Valencia College Lane, the project was being advanced from 2018 to 2013 because of the Expressway Authority’s 417/408 interchange that will eventually result in the ramps to Valencia College Lane being removed.
Upon learning this information, I held several additional meetings with the county administrator, Public Works director, the Expressway Authority executive director, the VCC president, representatives of the Polytechnic University, and residents of this area with two goals in mind:
-Revising the project schedules to ensure that the Econ Trail becomes the No. 1 priority
-Fighting for funding to get both started sooner
On Feb. 22, I fulfilled my commitment to hold a community meeting with all the parties involved. During that meeting, I was able to share some good news:
-As early as this April, you will see work crews building an additional left-turn lane at the intersection of Valencia Collage Lane and Econ Trail.
-The project on Econ Trail will now start mid-2012. This will include comprehensive four-lane improvements from 408 to East Colonial Drive and a complete overhaul and four-laning of the intersection at Valencia College Lane.
-Regarding Valencia College Lane, we anticipate continuing the four-lane improvements further west and eventually all the way to Goldenrod Road in 2013.
-Orange County commissioners and the Expressway Authority have given the necessary approvals authorizing these projects.
As your representative, I want you to know that I am open and accessible. These changes, along with the improvements that are currently under way by the Expressway Authority, should bring some long overdue and much-needed relief to this area. Personally, I have worked hard to get the funding agreements in place to ensure that these critical projects will move forward as promised. I am committed to continue working and advocating on your behalf. Please feel free to contact the District 3 office by calling 407-836-7350 or e-mailing me at District3@ocfl.net
At your service,
Lui Damiani
Commissioner, District 3