Orange County advances talks on $19.4 million I-Drive promenade proposal
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Orange County commissioners are moving forward with negotiations on a proposed $19.4 million promenade intended to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility near International Drive and Sand Lake Road.
The busy intersection in Orlando’s tourist district regularly experiences heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, making it difficult for some people to navigate the area on foot.
“To walk even a short distance, what should be a short distance is actually a long, long distance because of the way pedestrians have to travel,” Luciana Fortes said. “It’s hard.”
Commissioners voted Tuesday to continue negotiations on the promenade proposal, which would complement a separate pedestrian bridge project planned for the intersection.
Renderings presented to commissioners show wider sidewalks, retaining walls, fountains, parks, public art and other improvements. Project leaders said the changes would help advance the county’s long-term vision for International Drive.
“What this partnership does between Gateway and Orange County is that it just expands the vision geometrically in many different ways,” a project representative told commissioners. “It takes the I-Drive 2040 vision, which has been lost since 2017, and it really starts to turn it into reality.”
The pedestrian bridge and promenade are expected to provide safer options for people trying to cross the heavily traveled roads.
Zach Nobel, who frequently walks in the area, said drivers heading to theme parks and other attractions do not always pay attention to pedestrians.
“We only have the crosswalks, which are safe for pedestrians,” Nobel said. “Other than that, there’s not many safe ways to get across the streets.”
The proposed schedule calls for promenade construction to begin in 2028 and continue through 2029. Construction on the pedestrian bridge would begin afterward and continue through 2031.