The Central Florida Expressway Authority ( CFX ) is a highway authority responsible for construction, maintenance and operation of toll roads in five counties of Greater Orlando ( Lake , Orange , Osceola , Polk , Seminole , and Brevard Counties). It was created in 2014 to replace the Orlando–Orange County Expressway Authority ( OOCEA ), which only had authority in Orange County, and as of 2016 no roads outside that county have been added to the system. Other toll roads in the area are operated by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (successor to the Seminole County Expressway Authority ). The Osceola County Expressway Authority, which previously operated additional toll roads in the area, merged into CFX in 2018.
36-615: The Wekiva Parkway , the final piece of a beltway around Orlando, was completed through Lake and Orange Counties in January 2024. CFX operates an electronic toll collection system known as E-PASS , one of the first systems of its kind in the United States. Use of the state's SunPass system is also available on CFX roads. On November 9, 2017, it was announced that CFX would join the E-ZPass group. CFX began accepting E-ZPass as
72-672: A 6-mile (9.7 km) section of the Wekiva Parkway between SR 46 near Mount Plymouth to SR 46 just west of Longwood Markham Road in Seminole County opened to traffic. This was the longest section of FDOT's section of the highway to open and includes several wildlife crossing bridges. On August 1, 2022, the northbound lanes of a 2-mile (3.2 km) section of the Wekiva Parkway between SR 46 just west of Longwood Markham Road and SR 46 just west of Orange Boulevard in Seminole County opened to traffic, while
108-480: A form of payment starting on September 1, 2018, but only on roads which they maintain. The following roads were built and/or are maintained by CFX. Some roads share jurisdiction with other agencies – either Florida's Turnpike Enterprise or the Florida Department of Transportation , or have multiple agencies maintaining different portions of the road. CFX was founded in 1963 for the purpose of building
144-482: A new interchange with US 441 near Plymouth where the SR ;414 designation ends. The control city is Mount Dora . The road previously signed as SR 429 north of the current SR 414 interchange has been redesignated as SR 451 and has been extended across US 441 to a new northern terminus at Vick Road. Florida Department of Transportation The Florida Department of Transportation ( FDOT )
180-482: A separate unit for tolled facilities under Florida's Turnpike Enterprise . Each district is managed by a district secretary. Each district also has major divisions for administration, planning, production, and operations. In 1954, the State Road Department completed the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge , the first fixed span to connect Saint Petersburg directly to Bradenton . This greatly shortened
216-576: A southern bypass of SR 417 to Florida's Turnpike south of St. Cloud , a connection bypassing the three remaining signalized intersections on SR 414, and a connection from the Western Beltway to U.S. Highway 27 south of Clermont . A 2013 grand jury investigation into the CFX, found a "culture of corruption," involving gifts and campaign donations. CFX was criticized for firing the Director who
252-481: Is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida . The department was formed in 1969. It absorbed the powers of the State Road Department ( SRD ). The current Secretary of Transportation is Jared W. Perdue. The State Road Department, the predecessor of today's Department of Transportation, was authorized in 1915 by
288-535: Is the first all-electronic toll road in Central Florida. On July 27, 2017, the Wekiva Parkway's mainline was extended from the US ;441 connector road to a new northern terminus at Kelly Park Road. On March 31, 2018, the Wekiva Parkway's mainline was extended from Kelly Park Road to a new northern terminus at SR 46. Along with this, a 3.36-mile (5.41 km) spur known as SR 453 connecting
324-737: The Bee Line Expressway , and soon built the East-West Expressway . Many sections of the current expressway system, such as the connection of SR 528 from Sand Lake Road to I-4, the sections of SR 417 in Seminole and Osceola counties, and SR 429 south of Seidel Road, were built by the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise , and their toll facilities are managed by the same. Beginning in 2007, CFX began transitioning its signage from FHWA Series E modified typeface to signs that use
360-682: The E-Pass and related electronic toll collection systems. The road itself was finished in July 2000, temporarily ending at SR 50 , and the four-level cloverstack interchange with Florida's Turnpike was completed in February 2001. Prior to the reconstruction of the I-4 / SR 408 interchange near Downtown Orlando in 2021, this interchange featured the highest ramp in the Orlando area. SR 429
396-555: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Its mainline extends 51.77 miles (83.32 km) from I-4 (SR 400) in Four Corners north to I-4 in Sanford . Control cities are Apopka and Tampa although the control cities for traffic at the entrances at US 441 and north are Orlando , Tampa, and Daytona Beach . SR 429 was originally planned as a western half of SR 417 . SR 429 traverses some of
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#1732787870744432-659: The Florida Department of Transportation and CFX announced that they were partnering to jointly explore the construction of the Wekiva Parkway extension. The proposed route will extend through Orange, Lake, and Seminole Counties and is estimated to cost $ 1.8 billion. Officials hope to break ground in 2012, with completion by 2021. On January 20, 2016, the first stub section from CR 435 (Mount Plymouth Road) near Haas Road in Orange County to SR 46 east of Camp Challenge Road in Lake County opened to traffic and it
468-512: The Florida Legislature . For the first two years of its existence, the department acted as an advisory body to the 52 counties in the state, helping to assemble maps and other information on roads. The 1916 Bankhead Act passed by Congress expanded the department's responsibilities and gave it the authority to: establish a state and state-aid system of roads, engage in road construction and maintenance, acquire and own land, exercise
504-559: The Wekiva Parkway . In addition, SR 408 underwent a massive overhaul, including the relocation of its two main toll plazas, large sections of widening, and expansion of a bridge over Lake Underhill. In 2010, CFX was attempting to keep the average toll to $ 0.11 per mile. The current 25-year plan, the "2040 Master Plan", was approved in May 2016. Included are two new toll connections to Brevard County (including an extension of SR 408),
540-543: The skyline of downtown Orlando to the northeast and various portions of Walt Disney World Resort to the southeast. Florida's Turnpike Enterprise maintains the portion of the expressway south of Seidel Road, and CFX controls the portion north of the interchange. FDOT controls the portion north of SR 46 . The highway is named the "Daniel Webster Western Beltway" in honor of Daniel Webster , Florida's longest-serving legislator and figure often involved in state transportation issues. Due to various complications in
576-437: The 2011 Legislative Session, and placed the commercial vehicle licensing, registrations, fuel permits, and enforcement all under the purview of DHSMV. The Florida Transportation Commission, made up of nine commissioners chosen by Florida's Governor and Legislature , provides oversight for the state's department of transportation (DOT). The department consists of seven geographic districts. In May 1994, an eighth district
612-634: The Beachline East Expressway, the Pinellas Bayway , and the Seminole and Lake County portions of otherwise Central Florida Expressway Authority owned roads. Tolls on all department-owned facilities are collected by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. In addition, FDOT operates and manages several park-and-ride lots and Commuter Assistance Programs throughout the state. The seven districts each have a Districtwide Commuter Assistance Program. Florida has seven transportation districts and
648-490: The Wekiva Parkway with SR 46 near Sorrento was opened in conjunction with the extension. This was the final section of the CFX 's Section 2 of the road, and the final section of the CFX 's section altogether. The final 12-mile (19 km) section of the Wekiva Parkway between SR 46 and I-4 is under construction and is planned to open in 2023. This section will be constructed and maintained by FDOT . On May 16, 2022,
684-533: The entirety of SR 429 and by extension the greater beltway around Greater Orlando , comprising SR 429 along with SR 417 . Section C is the 22-mile (35 km) section from Florida's Turnpike to I-4 (SR 400) in Four Corners south of Walt Disney World . The 3-mile (4.8 km) section from Florida's Turnpike to CR 535 was completed in December 2002. The part from CR 535 south to New Independence Parkway opened December 16, 2005, with
720-401: The extension to US 192 opening December 23. The Turnpike-maintained section, south of Seidel Road, was on a very tight construction schedule. An extended cold snap required the contractor to push to reach the opening date, although the interchanges at Western Way and Seidel Road were not complete. The Western Way interchange was not scheduled to open until Spring of 2006 to coincide with
756-606: The highest elevations in Orange County and is often within a few miles of the Lake Wales Ridge . It runs along the west side of Greater Orlando , later curving around Apopka, crossing the Wekiva River into Seminole County and connecting with Interstate 4 and Florida State Road 417 to complete a nearly complete ring around the city. The road peaks at Mile Marker 13 where on clear days it is possible to see
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#1732787870744792-450: The need to re-align the planned path due to the original route being blocked by residential development to the north of Section A’s northern terminal junction with US-441. In 2004, an agreement was reached for its completion. SR 429 is now linked with SR 417 , creating a continuous beltway north of Orlando; however, older plans involved a short drive on I-4 or its collector/distributor roads to reach SR 417. On May 25, 2011,
828-483: The new Clearview typeface. The newest addition to the CFX system is an extension of Maitland Boulevard ( State Road 414 ) known as the John Land Apopka Expressway . The expressway opened on May 15, 2009. The project was inherited from the Florida Department of Transportation , which referred to it as the "Apopka Bypass". Planning is also underway for an extension of State Road 429 known as
864-584: The newly-constructed SR 414/SR 429/SR 451 interchange) — consisted primarily of existing roadway, and in essence, simply re-designated the portion of SR 429 north of its junction with SR 414. In doing so — and in order to continue northward extension of SR 429, the original section of roadway south of SR 414 was rerouted on a track to the west, on a newly constructed section of highway that is dually-designated as both SR 429 and SR 414 toll roads, and extends them both to an interchange with US 441 (SR 500/Orange Blossom Trail) which lies approximately 2.5 miles north-west of
900-613: The opening of the new Expedition Everest ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom . The open road tolling gantry, while located north of US 192, was let for construction with the southern five miles (8 km) and was never intended to be open to traffic in conjunction with the 2005 opening between US 92 and Seidel. The Schofield Road interchange was identified as a future interchange, meaning that on December 23 no interchanges were open between US 192 and New Independence Parkway. Other openings were April 4, 2006 for Western Way, April 12, 2006, for Seidel Road, and December 9, 2006, for
936-525: The original SR 429/US 441 junction (now the SR 451/US 441 junction). North of this interchange with US-441, the SR 414 designation ends, and the toll road continues under the SR 429 designation. Thus, this rerouting shifted the roadway to the west, allowing it to continue north of US-441 on secured land before turning eastward and rejoining the right-of-way that was planned for construction of the long-awaited Wekiva Parkway. The Wekiva Parkway (section B) would complete
972-507: The planning and zoning phases of the roadway, Section B would end up being constructed much later (nearly 15-20 years) than Sections A and C. Section A is the original 10.6-mile (17.1 km) section from Florida's Turnpike in Ocoee , to US 441 in Apopka . It has a toll plaza in the middle, which was one of the first toll plazas in the Orlando area with open road tolling for users of
1008-466: The remainder from US 192 south to I-4. The Schofield Road interchange opened in May 2015. During June 2010, construction work began on the westward extension of SR 414 . Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) of SR 429 roadway was demolished and on May 14, 2012, a new interchange opened from SR 429 northbound to SR 414 eastbound and from SR 414 westbound to SR 429 southbound. SR 429 and SR 414 now run concurrently to
1044-566: The right of eminent domain, and accept federal or local funds for use in improving roads. The Office of Motor Carrier Compliance created in 1980 transitioned from the Florida Department of Transportation to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) on July 1, 2011. The consolidation is a result of Senate Bill 2160, passed by lawmakers during
1080-517: The southbound lanes opened to traffic on August 15, 2022. On October 21, 2022, the ramp from westbound I-4 to southbound SR 429, along with the section of the southbound lanes to SR 46 opened to traffic. This section is 1.75 miles (2.82 km) in length. On January 26, 2024, the final segment of the Wekiva Parkway at SR 46 just west of Orange Boulevard in Seminole County to I-4 in Sanford opened to traffic, thus officially completing
1116-518: The travel time between the two cities, as before cars would have to either use a ferry or drive about 70 miles (110 km) around Tampa Bay . A parallel span was completed in 1971 to make the bridge Interstate standard, and it became part of I-275 . After the newer, southbound span was destroyed in 1980 when the SS Summit Venture collided into it, a replacement bridge was finished in 1987. In 1974, FDOT completed Florida's Turnpike ,
Central Florida Expressway Authority - Misplaced Pages Continue
1152-533: The ultimate goal of extending SR 429 northwards to a junction with I-4, and thereby complete a Western Beltway around the Orlando metro area. Section B, also known as the Wekiva Parkway , is a 25-mile (40 km) section of SR 429 connecting from US 441 in Apopka to I-4 in Sanford . It had been under debate for over a decade due to its planned alignment being complicated by the ecologically fragile Wekiva River basin, shifting support from Lake County , and
1188-472: Was attempting to stop this corruption, replacing him with a legislator with no experience of running a toll operation. The job paid over $ 175,000 annually. The Central Connector, known by the Florida Department of Transportation as State Road 529 (SR 529), was a proposed tollway planned to parallel Orange Avenue ( SR 527 ) between downtown Orlando and the Beachline Expressway. The project
1224-587: Was canceled in 1991 after much local opposition. Wekiva Parkway State Road 429 ( SR 429 ), also known as the Daniel Webster Western Beltway or Western Expressway south of US 441 , and the Wekiva Parkway north of US 441, is a controlled-access toll road built and maintained by the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX), the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise , and
1260-577: Was formed for the state's Turnpike System . In April 2002, the Turnpike district expanded as Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) and operates as the business unit for the department. The FTE owns and maintains 511 miles (822 km) of toll roads. Each district is managed by a district secretary. The department also owns and maintains other toll roads and bridges: the Garcon Point Bridge , Sunshine Skyway Bridge , Alligator Alley ,
1296-536: Was planned to continue north from its original US 441 junction, but because the land needed for this proposed SR 429 extension’s right of way was not secured ahead of time, new housing was developed north of the US 441 junction. This forced a change in plans for the extension of SR 429, leading to the re-designation of the northernmost 1.9 miles of what was SR 429 to the newly-created State Road 451 (SR 451) toll road in January 2013. This “new” toll road — with minimal new construction (at its connection with
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