ORLANDO, Fla. — Construction was set to begin in parts of downtown Orlando Tuesday night, prompting traffic changes.

Orlando’s Downtown Infrastructure and Quick Build project will focus on transportation infrastructure work that will aim to increase safety in the downtown area.

The total project is estimated to cost $960,000, with a focus on Rosalind Avenue. 

For over a decade, Patrick Panza has biked through downtown Orlando to get to work, noticing more and more traffic recently.

“Pretty busy, not too bad, though. I think a lot of people expect to see bicyclists here, so it helps out a lot,” Panza said while on his bike. 

He actually turned his passion into a job, serving as the programs coordinator for the nonprofit Bike/Walk Central Florida. It's another reason why he’s happy to see changes coming to Rosalind aAvenue as part of the Quick Build Infrastructure Project.

“We are continually talking to them about how we can help make this a safer area for those who bike, walk and roll, whether that is education or infrastructure improvements like they are planning here, it is definitely a constant conversation that they are very engaged in,” said Panza. 

As part of this project, three areas along the road will have bend ins, providing greater separation between cars and the bike lane while providing additional visibility:

• Rosalind Avenue and Church Street

• Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street

• Magnolia Avenue and Concord Street 

Eight locations will have artistic bulb-outs and crosswalks installed:  

• Orange Avenue near Central Boulevard

• Intersection of Orange Avenue and Robinson Street

• Intersection of Orange Avenue and Concord Street

• Intersection of Rosalind Avenue and Jackson Street

• Intersection of Rosalind Avenue and Church Street

• Intersection of Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street

• Intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Amelia Street

• Intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Concord Street

Panza is excited to see work get started.

“Any improvements that come to the area is a win for the people that either live here or work here or visit here,” said Panza. 

As part of the project, the city will also resurface Rosalind Avenue from South Street to Robinson Street, impacting the current Black Lives Matter mural.

A city staff member provided this statement: “While this mural is impacted, reaffirming our commitment to equity and diversity is an important effort of the city’s and we’re committed to incorporating this collective commitment to inclusion into the new mural artwork that will be installed at the intersection of Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street as part of the project. Like the creation of the previous mural, our intent is to engage the community in this process.

The city shared that more murals will be added, and that the new mural located near Central Avenue and Rosalind Avenue, part of the city’s Lake Eola Park expansion project, is also focused on showcasing Orlando’s diversity and the city’s commitment to meaningful change.

Five intersection murals are planned for the following locations:   

• Orange Ave and Pine St 

• Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard 

• Orange Avenue and Washington Street

• Orange Avenue and Church Street 

• Rosalind Avenue and Washington Street

Work iwas slated to begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday night and will impact Rosalind for the next two weeks. The city aims to have the entire project completed by March.