Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority
Encyclopedia
The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) is an expressway authority responsible for construction, maintenance and operation of toll road
s in Orange County, Florida
, United States
, which includes the city of Orlando. It was founded in 1963 for the purpose of building the Bee Line Expressway, and soon built the East-West Expressway. It now manages a network of roads including large portions of a beltway around Orlando. The OOCEA operates an electronic toll collection
system known as E-PASS, one of the first and most widely-used systems of its kind in the United States. Use of the state's SunPass
system is also available on OOCEA roads.
The newest addition to the OOCEA system is an extension of Maitland Boulevard (State Road 414
) known as the John Land Apopka Expressway. The expressway opened on May 15, 2009. The project was inherited from the Florida Department of Transportation
, which referred to it as the "Apopka Bypass". Planning is also underway for an extension of State Road 429
known as the Wekiva Parkway. In addition, SR 408 is undergoing a massive overhaul, including the relocation of its two main toll plazas, large sections of widening, and expansion of a bridge over Lake Underhill.
The current 25-year plan, the "2030 Master Plan", includes two new toll connections to Brevard County
(including an extension of SR 408), a new connection from Sanford
to New Smyrna Beach
parallel to State Road 415
, a southern bypass of SR 417 to Florida's Turnpike
south of St. Cloud
, and a connection from the Western Beltway to U.S. Highway 27 south of Clermont
.
The following roads were built by the OOCEA:
Many sections of the current expressway system, such as the connection of SR 528 from Sand Lake Road to I-4, the sections of SR 417 in Seminole and Osceola counties, and SR 429 south of Seidel Road, were built by the Florida's Turnpike
Enterprise, and their toll facilities are managed by the same.
Beginning in 2007, OOCEA is transitioning from signs that use the FHWA Series E modified
typeface to signs that use the new Clearview
typeface.
as State Road 529 (SR 529), was a proposed tollway planned to parallel Orange Avenue (SR 527) between downtown Orlando and the Beachline Expressway. The project was canceled in 1991 after much local opposition.
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
s in Orange County, Florida
Orange County, Florida
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida and is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 1,145,956....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which includes the city of Orlando. It was founded in 1963 for the purpose of building the Bee Line Expressway, and soon built the East-West Expressway. It now manages a network of roads including large portions of a beltway around Orlando. The OOCEA operates an electronic toll collection
Electronic toll collection
Electronic toll collection , an adaptation of military "identification friend or foe" technology, aims to eliminate the delay on toll roads by collecting tolls electronically. It is thus a technological implementation of a road pricing concept...
system known as E-PASS, one of the first and most widely-used systems of its kind in the United States. Use of the state's SunPass
SunPass
SunPass is an electronic toll collection system in use by the State of Florida and was originally created by the Florida Department of Transportation's Florida's Turnpike...
system is also available on OOCEA roads.
The newest addition to the OOCEA system is an extension of Maitland Boulevard (State Road 414
State Road 414 (Florida)
State Road 414 , named Maitland Boulevard, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Florida.-Free Section:The free section is built to expressway standards, with no driveway access, at-grade intersections at minor roads, and interchanges at major roads. The road was once numbered State Road 426A...
) known as the John Land Apopka Expressway. The expressway opened on May 15, 2009. The project was inherited from the Florida Department of Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida. The department was formed in 1969. It absorbed the powers of the Florida State Road Department...
, which referred to it as the "Apopka Bypass". Planning is also underway for an extension of State Road 429
State Road 429 (Florida)
State Road 429 , also known as the Daniel Webster Western Beltway or Western Expressway, is a limited-access toll road built and maintained by the Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. It currently extends from Interstate 4 near Walt Disney World north to...
known as the Wekiva Parkway. In addition, SR 408 is undergoing a massive overhaul, including the relocation of its two main toll plazas, large sections of widening, and expansion of a bridge over Lake Underhill.
The current 25-year plan, the "2030 Master Plan", includes two new toll connections to Brevard County
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
(including an extension of SR 408), a new connection from Sanford
Sanford, Florida
Sanford is a city in, and the county seat of, Seminole County, Florida, United States. The population was 38,291 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 50,998...
to New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,048 according to the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,161.-History:...
parallel to State Road 415
State Road 415 (Florida)
State Road 415 is a north–south route in Central Florida running between State Road 44 in Volusia County and State Road 46 in Seminole County.The road continues north of State Road 44 to US 92 as Volusia County Road 415, Tomoka Farms Road....
, a southern bypass of SR 417 to Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
south of St. Cloud
St. Cloud, Florida
St. Cloud is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. The population was 35,183 at the 2010 census. St. Cloud is closely associated with the adjacent city of Kissimmee and its proximity to Orlando area theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and Seaworld.St...
, and a connection from the Western Beltway to U.S. Highway 27 south of Clermont
Clermont, Florida
Clermont is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States, west of Orlando. The population was 13,100 in 2008. The city is essentially residential in character and its economy is centered in retail trade, lodging, and food and beverage establishments, which are tourism oriented. The historic...
.
The following roads were built by the OOCEA:
- Beachline Expressway (SR 528) from State Road 15State Road 15 (Florida)State Road 15 is part of the Florida State Road System. It runs from SR 80/SR 880 at Belle Glade north along the east shore of Lake Okeechobee to Okeechobee. Then it runs north to SR 500 at Holopaw, and northwest along SR 500 to Ashton State Road 15 (commonly SR 15) is part of the Florida State...
to State Road 520State Road 520 (Florida)Florida State Road 520 is a east–west state highway in central Florida, United States, connecting with SR 50 in the Orlando area with SR A1A in Cocoa Beach.-Route description:...
, 1966-1967 - East-West Expressway (SR 408) from State Road 50State Road 50 (Florida)State Road 50 runs across the center of the U.S. state of Florida through Orlando, with its termini at SR 55 at Weeki Wachee and SR 5 in Titusville....
west of State Road 435State Road 435 (Florida)State Road 435, signed as Kirkman Road along its entire route, is a state road in Florida, existing entirely within Orange County. Kirkman road is a major arterial on the west side of Orlando, and bounds the east side of Universal Orlando Resort. It also connects on its south end into a Lockheed...
to State Road 50 east of State Road 551State Road 551 (Florida)State Road 551, locally known as Goldenrod Road, Palmetto Avenue, and Heintzelman Boulevard, forms a north–south surface street bypass of Orlando to the east.-Current route:...
, 1972-1973 - Beachline Expressway (SR 528) from State Road 482State Road 482 (Florida)State Road 482 , named Sand Lake Road and McCoy Road, is an east–west state highway in south Orlando, Florida, United States. It is a surface road, but has a complicated interchange with State Road 435 just north of the entrance to Lockheed Martin.-Route description:Sand Lake Road begins at...
to State Road 15State Road 15 (Florida)State Road 15 is part of the Florida State Road System. It runs from SR 80/SR 880 at Belle Glade north along the east shore of Lake Okeechobee to Okeechobee. Then it runs north to SR 500 at Holopaw, and northwest along SR 500 to Ashton State Road 15 (commonly SR 15) is part of the Florida State...
, 1981-1983 - Central Florida GreeneWay (SR 417) from State Road 50State Road 50 (Florida)State Road 50 runs across the center of the U.S. state of Florida through Orlando, with its termini at SR 55 at Weeki Wachee and SR 5 in Titusville....
to Seminole County, 1987-1988 - East-West Expressway (SR 408) from State Road 551State Road 551 (Florida)State Road 551, locally known as Goldenrod Road, Palmetto Avenue, and Heintzelman Boulevard, forms a north–south surface street bypass of Orlando to the east.-Current route:...
to State Road 50State Road 50 (Florida)State Road 50 runs across the center of the U.S. state of Florida through Orlando, with its termini at SR 55 at Weeki Wachee and SR 5 in Titusville....
east of State Road 434State Road 434 (Florida)State Road 434 is a major roadway in the Central Florida area. Starting at SR 424 just north of Orlando city limits, the road runs north as Forest City Road through Forest City before dropping the name at the Seminole County line...
, 1987-1989 - Central Florida GreeneWay (SR 417) from State Road 528State Road 528 (Florida)State Road 528 , the Martin Andersen Beachline Expressway , is a long state highway in the U.S. state of Florida. It is a mostly-tolled expressway connecting Interstate 4 in southwest Orlando with Cape Canaveral...
to State Road 408State Road 408 (Florida)State Road 408 , also known as the Spessard L. Holland East-West Expressway, is a tolled expressway running east–west through Orlando, Florida, United States...
, 1989-1990 - East-West Expressway (SR 408) from Florida's TurnpikeFlorida's TurnpikeFlorida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
to State Road 435State Road 435 (Florida)State Road 435, signed as Kirkman Road along its entire route, is a state road in Florida, existing entirely within Orange County. Kirkman road is a major arterial on the west side of Orlando, and bounds the east side of Universal Orlando Resort. It also connects on its south end into a Lockheed...
, 1989-1990 - Central Florida GreeneWay (SR 417) from International DriveInternational DriveInternational Drive is the main tourist strip of Orlando, Florida, located several miles southwest of proper Downtown Orlando in the southernmost limits of the city...
to State Road 528State Road 528 (Florida)State Road 528 , the Martin Andersen Beachline Expressway , is a long state highway in the U.S. state of Florida. It is a mostly-tolled expressway connecting Interstate 4 in southwest Orlando with Cape Canaveral...
, 1991-1993 - Western Beltway (SR 429) from Florida's TurnpikeFlorida's TurnpikeFlorida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
to U.S. Highway 441, 1998-2001 - Goldenrod Road ExtensionGoldenrod Road ExtensionThe Goldenrod Road Extension is a toll road in southeastern Orlando, Florida, United States, owned and operated by the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority . It is a four-lane surface road with several at-grade intersections...
, 2001-2003 - Western Beltway (SR 429) from County Road 535 to Florida's TurnpikeFlorida's TurnpikeFlorida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
, 2001-2002 - Western Beltway (SR 429) from Seidel Road to County Road 535, 2004-2005
- John Land Apopka Expressway (SR 414) from State Road 429State Road 429 (Florida)State Road 429 , also known as the Daniel Webster Western Beltway or Western Expressway, is a limited-access toll road built and maintained by the Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. It currently extends from Interstate 4 near Walt Disney World north to...
to U.S. Highway 441, 2008-2009
Many sections of the current expressway system, such as the connection of SR 528 from Sand Lake Road to I-4, the sections of SR 417 in Seminole and Osceola counties, and SR 429 south of Seidel Road, were built by the Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
Enterprise, and their toll facilities are managed by the same.
Beginning in 2007, OOCEA is transitioning from signs that use the FHWA Series E modified
FHWA Series fonts
The FHWA Series fonts are a set of sans-serif typefaces developed by the United States Federal Highway Administration and used for road signage in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, Spain, The Netherlands, Turkey, Brazil and New Zealand. The fonts were created to maximize legibility at a...
typeface to signs that use the new Clearview
Clearview (typeface)
Clearview, also known as Clearview Hwy, is the name of a humanist sans-serif typeface family for guide signs on roads in the United States. It was developed by independent researchers with the help of the Texas Transportation Institute and the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, under the...
typeface.
Canceled projects
The Central Connector, known by the Florida Department of TransportationFlorida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida. The department was formed in 1969. It absorbed the powers of the Florida State Road Department...
as State Road 529 (SR 529), was a proposed tollway planned to parallel Orange Avenue (SR 527) between downtown Orlando and the Beachline Expressway. The project was canceled in 1991 after much local opposition.