News Summary
Seminole County residents are facing the proposed construction of a toll road by the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), which threatens several homes. The two-mile toll road aims to connect State Road 417 to Orlando Sanford International Airport, costing an estimated $200 million. Local homeowners express concerns over potential demolitions and inadequate compensation for their properties, including a historic home and a rare fruit nursery. CFX insists the road is necessary to accommodate the region’s population growth and ease traffic congestion. A public meeting is scheduled to discuss the project further.
Sanford, Florida – Residents of Seminole County are grappling with the proposed construction of a toll road by the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) that is set to disrupt numerous homes and neighborhoods. The toll road, intended to connect State Road 417 to the Orlando Sanford International Airport, is approximately two miles long and has a projected budget of $200 million.
During a recent public meeting, local residents, including Becky Burke and Adam Shafran, were taken by surprise upon discovering their properties are directly in the path of the proposed road. Burke’s historic home, built in the late 1800s and passed down through her late husband’s family for decades, faces potential demolition. Similarly, Shafran’s unique exotic fruit tree nursery, known for producing rare varieties that he sells globally, stands in jeopardy.
Burke has expressed deep concern about the possibility of losing her beloved home, where she has invested considerable time and effort in renovations. Shafran worries that should his property be acquired, the unique value of his rare fruit trees will not be accurately appraised, potentially jeopardizing his retirement plans.
CFX officials assert the toll road is necessary to alleviate current traffic congestion in an area experiencing rapid growth, with the population projected to increase by 21% by 2050. Traffic is notably heavy at key intersections, such as Lake Mary Boulevard and Ronald Reagan Boulevard, as well as at the SR 417 off-ramp. With Orlando Sanford International Airport projected to double its passenger numbers to 5.4 million by 2050, the urgency for additional infrastructure has increased.
The Expressway Authority has narrowed down four potential routes for the toll road to one that affects several residences near Pine Way and Mellonville Avenue, directly impacting Burke and Shafran. A public meeting to discuss the finalized plans will be held on July 17 at the Sanford Civic Center, after which CFX’s governing board will review the project in October.
Property acquisition for the toll road project may take several months or even years, as CFX is obligated to comply with Florida’s eminent domain laws, requiring fair compensation to affected homeowners. This compensation process includes property appraisals, which the property owners have the right to appeal in court, including coverage for legal fees.
Burke’s home holds significant historical value, while Shafran’s nursery is known for its cultivation of rare fruits such as cambuca and jaboticaba, which he fears will not be correctly valued in compensation maneuvers.
CFX estimates construction expenses of approximately $172 million, alongside an additional $18.3 million earmarked for property acquisitions necessary for the toll road’s development. Despite the disruptions the project will cause for some residents, local officials in Seminole County support the project and emphasize the need for prompt progress to streamline property acquisition efforts as the region continues to expand.
Mayor Art Woodruff indicated that the community has a significant demand for improved traffic conditions, underscoring the necessity of the new toll road amidst a backdrop of increasing residential developments in the area. As the CFX project progresses, it remains to be seen how the proposed toll road will reshape the local landscape and impact residents.
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Sentinel: Proposed Seminole Toll Road
- ENR: Central Florida Expressway Authority OKs $4B for Expansions
- WESH: Unpaid Florida Toll Fees
- MyNews13: CFX Narrows Proposed Routes to Sanford’s Airport
- Fox 35 Orlando: Seminole County Weighs New Airport Toll Road
- Wikipedia: Toll Road
- Google Search: Seminole County Toll Road
- Google Scholar: Toll Roads Florida
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Toll Road
- Google News: Seminole County Toll Road

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