ORLANDO, Fla. – The city of Orlando is gearing up for a major overhaul of a local roadway that kicks off next week.

In a release, city officials announced that it is partnering with the OUC to launch the Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project, which will upgrade the infrastructure between South Street and Marks Street.

This project is aimed at modernizing the OUC’s potable water system, as well as the city’s sewer and stormwater systems, city officials added.

WHAT WILL THE PROJECT BRING?

The release shows that construction will start on Monday, Jan. 13, to replace nearly 80-year-old underground cast-iron water pipes. Instead, the project will install around 1.25 miles of new water mains.

These changes are critical for the area, with the replacement plans stemming back to 2018, when an aged water main broke along Summerlin Avenue and flooded the surrounding neighborhood.

Beyond the water main updates, though, the release shows that the project will also include the following features:

• A complete restoration of the roadways

• Improved streetscapes

• Reinstatement of brick pavers or asphalt paving

• New pedestrian signals at strategic intersections

• Crosswalk and curb ramp replacements

• Sod replacement and tree removal

WILL THIS PROJECT DISRUPT MY COMMUTE?

According to the city, construction work will take place in two-block sections, meaning that there will be temporary traffic disruptions along the project’s route.

In addition, a full intersection closure will be required at next week’s onset of the project at East Robinson Street and Summerlin Avenue, which will remain for three months, city officials explained.

Other scheduled project work areas are as follows:

• Intersection of East Robinson Street and Summerlin Avenue

• Summerlin Avenue between South Street and Robinson Street

• Summerlin Avenue between Robinson Street and State Road 50/Colonial Drive

• Summerlin Avenue between State Road 50/Colonial Drive and Marks Street intersection

The city also announced that during construction, there could be occasions when some residents will be unable to use their driveways, though the contractor will provide advance notice to these residents and recommend alternative parking spots along the street.

WHAT DOES THE TIMELINE LOOK LIKE?

The release states that the project is expected to be finished by early 2028 — an estimated 39 months in total.

Construction work is scheduled to happen primarily Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., though some night and weekend work may be required.

During construction times, detours will include the following:

• Traffic headed east on East Robinson Street will go left on South Rosalind Avenue, right on East Colonial Drive, and right on Mills Avenue to return to East Robinson Street.

• Traffic headed west on East Robinson Street will detour right on Ferncreek Avenue, left on East Colonial Drive, and left on North Orange Avenue to return to East Robinson Street.

• Traffic headed south on Summerlin Avenue will detour left on East Colonial Drive, right on Mills Avenue, and right on East Washington Street to return to Summerlin Avenue.

• Traffic headed north on Summerlin Avenue will detour right on East Washington Street, left on Ferncreek Avenue, and left on East Colonial Drive to return to Summerlin Avenue.

Residents like Jay Jackson, who has lived in the Lake Eola Heights neighborhood, recalls the challenges of dealing with aging infrastructure.

Jackson’s home, located at the corner of East Concord Street and Summerlin Avenue, was near the site of the massive water main break in October 2018.

“When we came home from the movies, there were fire trucks, police cars, and what looked like a giant pool on Summerlin,” Jackson said. “Crews were out here for weeks making repairs.”

For longtime residents like Jackson, the temporary traffic inconveniences are a small price to pay for much-needed improvements.

“If it’s only a few blocks at a time and a few months at a time, that won’t be so bad,” Jackson said. “We’re kind of used to that already. New neighbors might be surprised. They’ll have to park in different places, and garbage collection will change, but it’ll get fixed.”

For more information on the upcoming project and potential impacts, visit the city’s website here.

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