Seminole County Officials Celebrate Wekiva Parkway Grand Opening

Seminole County, FL (January 30, 2024) — Seminole County officials joined the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) on Friday to celebrate the grand opening of the Wekiva Parkway. The 25-mile toll road completes the beltway around Central Florida by connecting State Road (S.R.) 429 to S.R. 417. The Wekiva Parkway opening will minimize traffic congestion, benefit economic growth in the region, and protect sensitive natural resources in Seminole County.  

Residents and commuters using the parkway will enjoy shorter travel times, while those using S.R. 46 to access local roads will benefit from the improved safety features of widened lanes and separation from motorists making trips across the beltway.  

The completed parkway will also allow for the smoother transportation of goods and people, boosting regional economic development. “The Wekiva Parkway connects the transportation network around all of Central Florida, driving commerce and growth in Seminole County and the entire area,” said Seminole County Chairman Jay Zembower.

Seminole County District 3 Commissioner Lee Constantine has played an integral role in the development of the Wekiva Parkway. While serving in the State Senate in 2003, Florida Governor Jeb Bush appointed him Chairman of the Wekiva River Basin Commission. Constantine led the Commission to an overwhelming consensus on plans to build the parkway while prioritizing environmental protection.  

“We guaranteed that we would protect nearby conservation lands before a single shovelful of dirt would start the road project,” he explains. “The elevated portions of the road and crossing areas allow wildlife to stay safe, and the 3,400 acres of land set aside for conservation protects Seminole County’s precious Wekiva River areas.” 

WATCH: WEKIVA PARKWAY: Grand Opening (YouTube)