ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Projects nearly two decades in the making are finally moving forward to relieve some of the congestion in busy Winter Park.

It is congestion Steve Freytag sees every day as he works to convert an old mattress store into a new meat market at U.S. 17/92 and Fairbanks Avenue.

“1792, I don’t think I’ve never seen it not busy,” said Freytag.

FDOT is working to help ease the commute on U.S. 17/92 with reconstructed intersections, new turn lanes, raised medians and wider sidewalks.

“I think what we’re going to see is a lot smoother traffic flow, you aren’t going to see some of the backups from folks returning home from work, there will be more opportunities to make left-hand turns. There won’t be as many backups and the wait time at our lights will be shortened,” said Winter Park’s new Mayor Phil Anderson.

Anderson says the city will work with FDOT on the 17-92 project, and another state project on Orange Avenue to improve traffic flow.

Those roads have been hit hard, he says, during I-4 Ultimate construction.

“Some folks have chosen 17-92 and Orange Avenue as alternatives to the (I-4) curves back and forth and the temporary lane closures,” said Anderson.

Both projects are in the design phases, so it could be a few more years before work begins.