A traffic-choked Longwood intersection that drivers love to grumble about is headed for a major overhaul, and a row of nearby businesses is bracing to see how close the new roadway will get to their front doors.
City leaders are weighing a plan tied to the Florida Department of Transportation that would widen the intersection where State Road 434 meets Ronald Reagan Boulevard (County Road 427). The proposal would add turn lanes, adjust drainage and sidewalks, and carve out pieces of commercial parcels along the corridor, potentially affecting nearby businesses. The work is part of a broader push by the state and Seminole County to roll out safety and mobility upgrades aimed at easing the frequent backups near I-4.
What FDOT plans to build
The state’s design calls for dual left-turn lanes on both eastbound and westbound SR 434, plus a new exclusive eastbound right turn lane onto Ronald Reagan Boulevard. The project also includes bike lanes, sidewalk repairs, drainage changes, and new traffic signal equipment. The work zone would stretch from South Milwee Street to just west of South Oleander Street, with a new stormwater pond planned at the northwest corner of the intersection.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, Seminole County prepared the design, which folds bicycle and pedestrian upgrades into the overall corridor plan.
Which properties could be taken
Local reporting indicates the widening will not be painless for nearby property owners. As reported by FOX 35 Orlando, the project would require right-of-way acquisitions from 11 nearby businesses and would move the roadway closer to storefronts at the intersection. That coverage notes that a Walgreens and other retail parcels at the corner are among those that would be directly affected by the expanded right of way.
Timeline and costs
FDOT’s project materials show that right of way acquisition has already wrapped up. Construction funding is slated for summer 2026, with the project scheduled to be advertised for bids in May.
The FDOT handout lists right of way costs at roughly $7.5 million and estimates construction costs in the mid-$4 million range. The SR 434 improvements are set to be coordinated with adjacent safety work along the corridor so the mess, and eventually the benefits, line up across projects.
Why neighbors are watching
Anyone who drives the area at rush hour knows the drill: long backup, short temper. Motorists and nearby customers say congestion at the intersection is a regular headache and that fixes have been overdue for years.
Drivers interviewed at a nearby Wawa told reporters they often avoid the area during peak times if they can help it, according to ClickOrlando. The promise of smoother traffic is appealing, but some residents are watching closely to see how much space the road project will chew out of local business parcels.
Property, signs and ponds
City memos and project maps show the plan would overhaul how stormwater is handled at the intersection, including a new retention pond on the northwest corner parcel. Local reporting also highlights that the proposal would let a Walgreens sign sit about 3.5 feet closer to the property line than city code would normally allow, a small but telling sign of how tightly the design fits on the existing land.
For local planning details, see the City of Longwood infrastructure project listings; for more on potential business impacts, see the FOX 35 coverage noted above.
What’s next
The Longwood City Commission was slated to consider a proposal at its June 15 meeting that would clear local approvals needed for the state work to move forward. Local outlets have reported that the move would effectively greenlight FDOT to proceed once construction money is in place and the schedule locks in.
Residents and business owners who want to keep tabs on the process are encouraged to monitor city agendas and backup materials and to review FDOT’s project files for maps and handouts. As reported by ClickOrlando, any city action would open the door for the state to begin construction once funding and timelines line up.
Where to read the plans
Project maps, handouts, and technical exhibits are available through FDOT’s SR 434 project materials, while local planning documents are posted on the city’s infrastructure pages.
For the city’s summaries and graphics, see the City of Longwood infrastructure projects listing. FDOT’s project handouts include detailed exhibits along with contact information for staff who can answer questions from residents and business owners trying to figure out exactly how close the new pavement will come.
