ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Getting to Florida’s Turnpike from Sand Lake Road in Orange County could be easier in the future.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise plans to build a turnpike interchange at Sand Lake Road

  • The project will help address future traffic needs

  • FDOT is also looking to build a truck stop in the area

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise is looking to build a new turnpike interchange with Sand Lake Road.

“So many people are coming in from the west side of town, Lake County out on the turnpike,” said Dawn Owen, who worked in the area at Christie’s Photographic Solutions for the past 25 years. “Having it here will increase traffic, but the ease aspect is going to be great for any of the commuters.”

She has seen the area and traffic grow.

“My drive time in the last 8 years has more than doubled,” she said. 

Right now, Sand Lake Road goes over the turnpike. The closest entrance ramps are at Orange Blossom Trail/State Road 528 or I-4.

The Turnpike Enterprise’s goals for the new interchange are to enhance connectivity, address future traffic needs and provide access for emergency responders and during hurricane evacuations.

But that’s not the only change. The Florida Department of Transportation is also considering building Orange County’s only state-run truck stop where Sand Lake Road meets John Young Parkway, wedged in near the turnpike.

FDOT said it expects the truck stop to have 109 spaces on 20 acres of land already owned by the state.

“I think initially it’s going to be an absolute nightmare,” said Owen. “But I think in the long run, once they figure out on-ramps and off-ramps, this overpass will help because it frees traffic up.”

According to the turnpike website, construction on the interchange will begin in the second quarter of 2024.

There is no timeline yet for the new truck stop.