‘It’s very frustrating’: Osceola County plans to widen road to alleviate traffic nightmare

The Central Florida Expressway Authority says the current infrastructure in Osceola County isn’t enough to keep up with the demand of those trying to get around.

As more and more people move to Osceola County, those already living there are calling it a traffic nightmare.

“It’s very frustrating, the worst thing about Florida so far,” said Dabar Mustafa, who moved to the area two years ago.

About 20,000 people pass through the intersection of Poinciana Boulevard and Pleasant Hill every day, making it by far one of the most congested areas in the county.

By 2045, that’s expected to rise to nearly 36,000 drivers.

Officials said it’s not only inconvenient for drivers, it’s dangerous. A new study counted about 360 crashes between 2015 and 2019, with a quarter of those involving at least one person hurt.

That’s why the county is dedicating $59 million to turn it into a four-lane road to meet demand, before things get worse.

Mustafa says it’s long overdue.

“They have to widen the roads, definitely,” he said. “They have to do something to help with the traffic lights. Where you should have some, there aren’t any.”

©2022 Cox Media Group