SR 528 (Beachline) Widening from I-4 to McCoy Road
The highly traveled SR 528 (Beachline) from Interstate-4 (I-4) to McCoy Road in Orange County, Florida was becoming increasingly congested and unable to meet the demands of the growing infrastructure of the surrounding areas as well as the anticipated traffic resulting from the I-4 expansion. Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise knew it was time for a major update to meet the demands of the developing area and a widening would be made to the SR 528 (Beachline) from I-4 to McCoy Road. The project posed several challenges including the design of an 8-mile limited access capacity project within one year, improving traffic flow by increasing capacity and updating tolling options, minimizing corridor maintenance by using LED lighting, and providing lighted pedestrian facilities for local users and improvements for residents adjacent to the project. The project was completed in phases and marks the ultimate build-out of the Beachline and created a vital link in Central Florida connecting the Orlando International Airport to the I-4 corridor providing motorists access to the City of Orlando and its attractions.
The first phase widened SR 528 for 4 miles from I-4 to Florida’s Turnpike from 4-lanes to 8-lanes including widening six bridges and constructing a new All Electronic Toll (AET) gantry, currently used for various testing activities. The second phase continued the widening for 4 miles from Florida’s Turnpike to McCoy Road from 6-lanes to 8-lanes, including six bridge widenings and modifications to the existing toll plaza to accommodate both Open Road Tolling (ORT) and cash lanes. Structural improvements included bridge widenings, bridge replacements and new bridges over roadways, waterways and CSX railways. All bridges utilized AASHTO concrete beams and deep foundation substructures. Other structural design elements included MSE walls, temporary sheet pile walls, a steel elliptical railing retrofit at the adjacent ramp over Landstreet Road bridge and light pole pedestal retrofits to accommodate new lighting requirements at existing bridge and wall locations along the project. A modified headwall design was required for an existing box culvert to accommodate the widened SR 528 without extending the box culvert. Overhead sign structure and intelligent transportation systems pole designs were also included. During design, stakeholders were communicated with about improvements for the Orangewood Blvd/Universal Blvd interchange, addition of sidewalks with pedestrian lighting and noise walls for residents and an interchange serving as the main access point to the Convention Center and I-Drive Business District.
This project provides both long-distance travelers and daily commuters with a more efficient way to get to their destination. The relief in traffic congestion supports a higher traffic demand which provides Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise with increased revenue from the toll road.
Awards
2021
ACEC Florida- 2021 Engineering Excellence Grand Award in Transportation Category
