The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) 2030 Master Plan reaffirmed the agency's commitment to first preserve and enhance its existing system; second fund design and construction of the Wekiva Parkway and third examine regional transportation needs in response to Central Florida’s anticipated growth. To that end, the Authority, at the invitation of Orange and surrounding counties, initiated five (5) Concept Development and Evaluation Studies that kicked off in November 2006 and were completed in August 2008.
The primary goal of these Studies was to determine the potential feasibility of the proposed projects as a limited access toll road and to establish a framework for a future corridor study, if necessary. Specifically the studies were to determine:
- If there is a transportation purpose and/or need within the study corridor to expand existing facilities or provide a new transportation facility?
- The feasibility of meeting such transportation needs in an environmentally and community sensitive manner.
- Would a limited access tolled facility be financially feasible to solve that transportation need?
Modeled after the Wekiva Parkway Study, two advisory committees were formed to provide input into the process:
- The Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) provided input on potential environmental implications and possible mitigation strategies.
- The Project Advisory Committee(s) (PAC) provided input on the potential social, economic and community impacts, along with possible mitigation strategies.
These two groups met with the study teams and the agency throughout the process of the study offering invaluable input.
Documentation of each of the five studies has been completed. Once funding becomes available, a financial analysis will be performed for each potential project and for the system as a whole to determine which, if any, of these improvements are feasible as toll facilities. Those that are feasible may proceed to the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) phase of project development sometime in the future. It is important to note that although the OOCEA conducted these studies it may be determined that a limited access toll facility is not the best solution. If so, then another agency or interested group may decide to use the information to move forward.