KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Osceola County leaders are looking to make their streets safer.
Tuesday night, they held a meeting to discuss the Michigan Avenue Safety Improvements Project that is just getting underway.
What You Need To Know
- Osceola County is implementing the Michigan Avenue Safety Improvements Project to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists
- The project focuses on a nearly three-mile stretch notorious for accidents and is currently in the design phase with construction expected between 2025 and 2027
- Enhancements include road resurfacing, new crosswalk signals, sidewalks, and improved pedestrian detectors
- Public input is encouraged, with options to attend a virtual meeting or leave comments online
According to the county, they are focusing on a nearly three-mile stretch of Michigan Avenue where a number of crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists have happened.
They are hoping to put an end to that with this project, which excites one business owner in that area.
“The road is just a few feet behind us and I mean, we hear some screeching tires every now and then,” said Thayer Flores, Co-Founder of HiitFit in Kissimmee.
At Flores’ gym, hundreds of people come to work out every day. One area of focus for the project is right by there at the Garden Street intersection.
They plan on adding a pedestrian hybrid beacon, which will flash lights when pedestrians plan to cross.
“We have quite a few members who live relatively close and some of them walk, we have quite a few cyclists who come here and train with us so I mean that would definitely be something beneficial if that were to improve which would be great,” said Flores. “Anything where we can really make people aware, a visual cue that is going to help as well, I am excited about that.”
The project is in the design phase now, with public comment being accepted.
Some initial renderings were shared at the meeting of improvements, including road resurfacing, adding cross walk signals and sidewalks, separating shared curb ramps and relocating pedestrian detectors.
Once the design phase is completed, construction is expected to begin in late 2025 and finish in 2027.
There is another virtual public meeting on Thursday, March 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
