ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County is contributing $20 million to help accelerate a long-delayed project to widen State Road 50, also known as Colonial Drive, from four to six lanes in east Orange County, with a public open house scheduled Thursday, July 23.

The Florida Department of Transportation project would widen State Road 50 between Avalon Park Boulevard and Chuluota Road, also known as County Road 419. The plan is aimed at reducing backups along a stretch of roadway where about 46,000 vehicles travel each day.

FDOT had planned to split the project into two segments, with one funded for 2027 and the other for 2029. Last month, Orange County commissioners agreed to contribute $20 million to combine the two segments and accelerate the work, allowing construction on the full project to begin next year. FDOT will fully reimburse the county.

The widening comes as development continues in east Orange County, including The Grow, a 2,100-home community under construction near the Lockwood-area home of Pamela and Terry Sible.

“Every year it gets worse and worse,” Terry Sible said of traffic in the area.

Pamela Sible said the congestion on Colonial Drive has affected commutes for years.

“I used to work downtown, and if you didn’t hit the right timing, you were stuck an hour to get downtown,” she said.

The Sibles said they are cautiously optimistic about the widening project, but they also have concerns about parts of the plan. The project includes a new school bus access road for East River High School, which they worry could bring more traffic into their neighborhood.

“We keep fighting,” Terry Sible said. “We win some battles, but whether we’re going to win the war or not, that’s another question. Only time will tell.”

Pamela Sible said she hopes the project improves safety and traffic flow while preserving the area’s rural character.

“I hope the improvements by FDOT in Orange County give us more safety … and relieve the gridlock,” she said.

The FDOT open house is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Boardwalk Bowl’s Bridge Event Center, 10749 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando.