Central Florida Expressway Authority Archives - Positively Osceola

Central Florida Expressway Authority to Introduce New Flex Lanes to Improve Traffic Flow

riverrat — Thu, 09 May 2024 10:51:41 +0000

The Central Florida Expressway Authority is set to enhance driver safety and traffic flow this summer with the anticipated launch of Flex Lanes. Part of the latest capacity improvement projects on State Road 417 (Central Florida GreeneWay) and State Road 429 (Daniel Webster Western Beltway), this innovative traffic management system will temporarily open the left shoulder to traffic when incidents cause lane closures in one or more of the right lanes.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recognizes this approach as an Advanced Traffic Management Strategy that reduces congestion and improves safety during significant incidents.

Flex Lanes will be controlled via dynamic overhead messaging signs, which will clearly indicate lane status. Green arrows will denote open lanes, while red X’s will indicate closed lanes. Additionally, digital speed limit signs will guide drivers through the corridor at reduced speeds. Additional overhead signs will provide crucial information about roadway conditions ahead.

This traffic management strategy—often referred to as Part-Time Shoulder Use or, in this case, Flex Lanes—is already used in many states across the U.S. and has proven to be a safe, effective way to alleviate congestion during incidents on the roadway. By opening a designated Flex Lane, traffic will have a path to move past crash sites, ensuring safety and smoother traffic flow.

The Flex Lanes are expected to open in the summer of 2024, providing much-needed congestion relief and safer driving conditions on two key expressways in Central Florida. Stay tuned for updates as the Central Florida Expressway Authority rolls out this innovative solution designed to keep drivers moving safely and efficiently.

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CFX announces overnight SR417 ramp closures this week

riverrat — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:32:50 +0000

The Central Florida Expressway Authority has announced ramp closures this week associated with the State Road 417/Central Florida GreeneWay Resurfacing project.

• The northbound State Road 417 off-ramp to Lee Vista Boulevard (Exit 27) is scheduled to close for a short duration on the night of Wednesday, July 12 between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., for road work. Drivers will be directed to exit at Curry Ford Road (Exit 30) and follow the detour signs for southbound Econlockhatchee Trail to Lee Vista Boulevard. Tolls at State Road 417 Curry Ford Road Mainline Toll Plaza will be suspended while the detour is in place. Click here for the detour map.

• The Lee Vista Boulevard on-ramp to northbound State Road 417 is scheduled to close Thursday, July 13, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., for road work. Drivers will be directed to follow detour signs from Lee Vista Boulevard to northbound Econlockhatchee Trail to eastbound Curry Ford Road to northbound State Road 417. Click here for the detour map.

This work is for a resurfacing project on State Road 417 from State Road 528/Martin B. Andersen Beachline Expressway to Berry Dease Road, which started in August 2022 and is expected to be completed by summer 2023.

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Universal Orlando Resort Reveals ALl-New Details About Minion Land, Opening This Summer at Universal Studios Florida

riverrat — Mon, 22 May 2023 10:49:32 +0000

Universal Orlando Resort has shared new details about all the ways guests can eat, laugh and make mischief with the Minions in the highly anticipated Minion Land on Illumination Ave. – an immersive new area created in partnership between Universal’s award-winning creative team and the acclaimed filmmakers from Illumination. Opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida, the new land expands upon the wildly popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction and will debut a new collection of experiences for guests of all ages inspired by the beloved Minions franchise.

As soon as guests enter the land, they’ll be greeted by a fun, photo-worthy “Minion Land” marquee featuring 22 Minions before embarking on the mischief that awaits along Illumination Ave. From blasting their way to supervillain stardom in Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast to savoring tasty dishes at the Minion Cafe to snacking on banana-flavored popcorn at Pop-a-Nana and meeting fan-favorite characters along the way, here are details about the exciting new experiences that await in Minion Land:

ILLUMINATION’S VILLAIN-CON MINION BLAST
Guests can put their villainous skills to the test in Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast – an all-new attraction where guests compete against each other in a fully interactive gaming experience that’s so much fun, it’s a crime. Afterward, guests exit through Evil Stuff, an all-new retail location where they can stock up on Villain-Con and Minions merchandise. More details about Villain-Con Minion Blast will be revealed soon.

ILLUMINATION’S MINION CAFE
It’s Minions in the kitchen, mischief in the dining room, and tons of tasty food at the new Illumination’s Minion Cafe – the marquee dining location within Minion Land. This immersive new eatery offers something for every palate in a highly-entertaining dining experience that features three themed areas designed after beloved Minions Kevin, Stuart, Bob and Otto: the Kitchen – where guests will get a glimpse of the equipment and gear the Minions have used to whip up the cafe’s menu; the Breakroom – where guests can dine in the Minions’ break space that includes everything from “Office Safety Tips” to a vending machine stocked with mischievous items; and the Dining Room – a vibrant space adorned with colorful artwork courtesy of the Minions and more. Guests can also enjoy their meal on an outdoor patio that overlooks the fun of Minion Land.

Just as eye-catching as Minion Cafe’s incredibly-themed surroundings is its delicious menu – the latest example of how Universal Orlando’s award-winning culinary team continues to raise the bar when it comes to theme park dining. Guests of all ages can enjoy inventive, family-friendly fare featuring nearly 20 items inspired by memorable characters and staples from the Minions franchise, including eclectic “despica-bowls” such as Otto’s Noodle Bowl, Agnes’s Honeymoon Soup and Carl’s Crispy Cauliflower (vegan offering); delectable handhelds such as the Steak & “Cheese Ray” Sandwich; adorable desserts such as Bob’s Teddy Bear Chocolate Cream Puff; a kids’ menu for the “mini Minions” in the family that includes items like the Mini Boss’ Mega Melt; and so much more.

The Minion Cafe will also feature an express window with a limited menu for those looking to satisfy their mischievous cravings quickly and return to the mayhem in Minion Land.

BAKE MY DAY
Topped with a massive pink cupcake that’s visible from anywhere in the land, Bake My Day is a whimsical retail location and bakery featuring a selection of Minion-themed sweet treats, including cupcakes, macarons, s’mores and more, along with exclusive Minion-inspired merchandise like apparel, plush, drinkware, accessories, keychains and more.

POP-A-NANA
Banana-flavored popcorn, anyone? This walkup location features sweet and savory popcorn inspired by the Minions’ love for bananas. Here, guests may also find an assortment of cute popcorn buckets, including the Minion Selfie bucket.

FREEZE RAY POPS
Guests can cool off with a visit to Freeze Ray Pops, featuring a variety of colorful popsicles inspired by Gru, the Minions and Vector – along with beverages.

ILLUMINATION THEATER
Guests can meet, greet and interact with beloved characters like the Minions, Gru, Margo, Edith and Agnes, plus new additions from the hit film “Sing” – Rosita, Gunter and Johnny – at an outdoor Illumination Theater facade.

Guests can also discover murals, photo ops and more throughout Minion Land that celebrate additional characters from popular Illumination films.

Minion Land is yet another example of how Universal Destinations & Experiences is raising the bar on immersive storytelling for the entire family using beloved stories and franchises often seen in films. This follows exciting news earlier in the year where the company announced plans to build a one-of-kind, original theme park for families with young children in Frisco, Texas.

For more information about Minion Land and Universal Orlando Resort overall, visit www.universalorlando.com.

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Hollywood Star Halle Bailey Surprises Two Teen Aspiring Filmmakers During Walt Disney World Dreamers Academy

riverrat — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 12:16:45 +0000

Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey, who will play the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” left two aspiring teen filmmakers speechless when she surprised them Friday during Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort with a personal invitation to join her on the red carpet at the movie’s world premiere in Hollywood.

Dylan Jones of Atlanta and Madison Henderson of Los Angeles were in the middle of a movie production training session Friday morning during Disney Dreamers Academy when Bailey, the program’s celebrity ambassador, made a surprise appearance and delivered the personal invitation to come to Hollywood. For the students it was a truly magical dream come true moment.

The movie’s world premiere takes place just before the film officially hits theaters nationwide on May 26.

Bailey is one of several celebrities taking part in the program that runs through Sunday. Music producer Questlove, R&B singing sensation H.E.R. and other TV and movie stars are serving as mentors and speakers.

This is the 16^th year of Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day, transformational, mentoring program designed to broaden career awareness and create opportunities for 100 Black high school students and teens from underrepresented communities across America each year.

One hundred students are selected from thousands of nationwide applicants for a once-in-a-lifetime mentoring program at Walt Disney World Resort. The program is designed to assist young people in identifying and pursuing their dreams. Along with a parent or guardian, the students receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to participate in the program, which features career-oriented workshops, leadership seminars and presentations by celebrity guests, community leaders, educators and Disney executives.

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CFX announces road and ramp closures on SR 417 Sunday through Thursday

riverrat — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 11:38:04 +0000

The Central Florida Expressway Authority has announced that the following road and ramp closures will take place beginning Sunday night in connection with State Road 417 Capacity Improvements project. See below for details:

• Sunday, September 18, from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Southbound SR 417 from Moss Park Road to Narcoossee Road, for bridge work. Drivers will be directed to exit at Moss Park Road (Exit 23) and take Narcoossee Road back to southbound SR 417. Click here for the detour map.

• Sunday, September 18, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.: Northbound and southbound Rhode Island Woods Circle under SR 417, for bridge work. Drivers will be directed onto Landstar Boulevard and follow the detour signs. Click here for the detour map.

• Sunday, September 18 to Thursday, September 22, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.: The ramps from Boggy Creek Road and Jeff Fuqua Boulevard to northbound SR 417, for road work. Drivers will be directed to head south to Lake Nona Boulevard and follow the detour signs. Click here for the detour map.

• Monday, September 19 to Thursday, September 22, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.: Northbound and southbound John Young Parkway under SR 417, for bridge work. Northbound drivers will be directed onto Town Center Boulevard and southbound drivers will be directed onto Town Loop Boulevard. Click here for the detour map.

• Monday, September 19 to Thursday, September 22, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Southbound SR 417 ramp to eastbound SR 528/Martin B. Anderson Beachline Expressway, for bridge work.

Drivers will be directed to travel west on SR 528 to Narcoossee Road (Exit 13) and follow the detour signs. Click here for the detour map.

Please allow extra travel time. Due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances, work could be delayed. Motorists are urged to use caution in the construction area for their safety and that of the work crews. This work is for a capacity improvements project on SR 417 from International Drive to SR 528, which started in February 2021 and is expected to be complete by Late 2023.

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Central Florida Expressway Authority Announces New E-Pass Volume Savings Program

riverrat — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 11:11:54 +0000

The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) announced the new E-PASS Volume Savings Program, which will increase toll discount savings for customers on all CFX-owned expressways starting in September. Toll transactions made on or after September 1, 2022 will be counted toward the volume savings program.

Approved by the CFX Board on September 8, the program replaces the E-PASS Customer Loyalty Discount Program that has provided toll discounts to E-PASS customers since 2016. E-PASS has provided toll discounts to customers since 1998.

Under the new volume savings program, E-PASS customers will save as much as 25% on tolls each month, as follows:

“We see the E-PASS Volume Savings Program as an extension of CFX’s customer-first toll policy, adopted by the Board in 2017,” said CFX Board Member Jay Madara, who helped craft the policy and the savings program. “Our priority is to put customers first, which includes providing savings wherever possible.”

The E-PASS Volume Savings Program is a tiered program that provides toll discounts based on the number of transactions per transponder each month. E-PASS customers are automatically enrolled in the program and savings will be credited to a customer’s account at the end of the month, starting in October 2022. There are no monthly transaction or processing fees.

“As a regional toll agency, CFX must balance infrastructure investments with customer-first programs. The CFX Board began discussions about the E-PASS Volume Savings Program in March 2022. The action of the board today will put additional savings back into the pockets of area residents, while still prioritizing essential roadway investments,” stated Sean Parks, CFX Board Chair and Lake County Commissioner.

E-PASS is the local prepaid toll program operated by the Central Florida Expressway Authority. E-PASS tolls collected on CFX expressways stay local and are reinvested back into the maintenance, operations, improvements and expansion of the CFX system. The free E-PASS sticker transponder works on all toll roads and most bridges in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. The portable Uni works in 19 states and is available in black to blend into your windshield.

To take advantage of the E-PASS Volume Savings Program, get E-PASS online at GetEpass.com or download the E-PASS mobile app, call 407-823-7277 or visit the downtown E-PASS walk-in service center, or drive-up customer service Reload Lanes.

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CFX announces nightly ramp and road closures beginning Sunday evening

riverrat — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 10:55:50 +0000

Central Florida Expressway Authority has announced a number of overnight and nightly ramp and road closures associated with the SR 417 Capacity Improvements project beginning Sunday evening.

Sunday, March 27 to Thursday, March 31, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.: Northbound and
southbound John Young Parkway approaching SR 417, for bridge work. Northbound
drivers will be directed onto Town Center Boulevard and southbound drivers will be
directed onto Town Loop Boulevard. Click here for the detour map.
Tuesday, March 29 and Wednesday, March 30, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Southbound SR
417 ramp to Narcoossee Road (Exit 22), for road work. Drivers will be directed to
continue south on SR 417 to Lake Nona Boulevard (Exit 19) and follow the detour signs.
Click here for the detour map.
Thursday, March 31, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Northbound and southbound Landstar
Boulevard approaching SR 417, for bridge work. Northbound drivers will be directed onto
Town Center Boulevard and southbound drivers will be directed onto Fairway Woods
Boulevard. Please follow detour signs. Click here for the detour map.

CFX is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time. Weather and other unforeseen circumstances, could delay work. Motorists are urged to use caution in the construction area for their safety and that of the work crews.

This work is for a capacity improvements project on SR 417 from International Drive to SR 528,
which started in February 2021 and is expected to be complete by Late 2023.

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Jeff Fuqua Boulevard to SR 417 Four Month Ramp Closure Has Begun, Choose Coins-Only Lanes

riverrat — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 23:35:01 +0000

The All-Electronic Tolling (AET) ramp from southbound Jeff Fuqua Boulevard/Access Road to northbound SR 417 has closed for road work which will take approximately four months according to CFX.

Drivers, including all E-PASS customers will be directed to use the coins only toll lane that will remain open for accessing northbound SR 417.

This work is for a capacity improvements project on SR 417 from Boggy Creek Road to Narcoossee Road, which started in January 2022 and is expected to be complete in December 2023.

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Universal Orlando Resort Hiring for More Than 1,000 Service Jobs

riverrat — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 10:40:19 +0000

Universal Orlando is expanding its recent hiring efforts, searching for more than 1,000 new Team Members for full-time, part-time and professional career opportunities within the resort’s Food Service team.

Positions are available in all areas including full-service wait staff, bartenders, line production cooks, cashiers, dishwashers, quick service personnel and more.

Those hired for these positions will get to take advantage of Universal’s recently announced starting pay rate increase of $15 an hour.

There are also numerous culinary positions with a starting pay rate of $15.50 as well as Food & Beverage Management roles. These leadership opportunities offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages.

Here you can love your job! Candidates interested in joining a family of committed Team Members who are treated with respect should apply online by visiting https://UniversalOrlandoJobs.com. Eligible candidates will then be contacted for an interview.

It is an exciting time to join the team as Universal Orlando recently opened the highly-anticipated new species of roller coaster, Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Universal Orlando provides Team Members great perks like free park admission, discounts, complimentary guest passes, and more.

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Central Florida Expressway Authority announces nightly SR 528/SR 436 interchange closures

riverrat — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 11:34:08 +0000

The Central Florida Expressway Authority has announced the following overnight closures scheduled for next week associated with the SR 528/SR 436 interchange improvements project.

• Monday, June 21 to Friday, June 25, 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.: Eastbound and westbound SR 528/Beachline Expressway approaching SR 436/Semoran Boulevard, for bridge construction. Click here for the detour map.

• Monday, June 21 to Friday, June 25, 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.: Northbound SR 436/Semoran Boulevard ramp to westbound SR 528/Beachline Expressway, for bridge work. Click here for the detour map.

• Monday, June 21 to Friday, June 25, 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.: Southbound SR 436/ Semoran Boulevard ramp to eastbound SR 528/Beachline Expressway, for bridge work. Click here for the detour map.

Due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances, work could be delayed. Motorists are urged to use caution in the construction area for their safety and that of the work crews. This is part of CFX’s signature $118 million SR 528/SR 436 interchange improvement project that will improve traffic flow around the north entrance to the Orlando International Airport (OIA). This includes transforming the existing loop ramps (from southbound SR 436 to eastbound SR 528 and from northbound SR 436 to westbound SR 528) into flyover ramps.

The project also adds a travel lane in each direction of SR 528 (Beachline Expressway) between Conway Road and Goldenrod Road to ease congestion at this busy interchange. Click here for more information.

If you have questions regarding this project, please contact Kathy Putnam, Public Information Officer for CFX, at 407-690-7220 or by email at Construction@CFXway.com.

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