Overnight SR 429 Closures in Horizon West as SR 516 Interchange Work Continues

Project Highlights

• Overnight SR 429 closures begin March 9 near Schofield Road.
• Closures will happen nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Drivers will be detoured using Avalon Road, Phil Ritson Way, Porter Road, Seidel Road, and New Independence Parkway.
• The work is part of construction for the future SR 516 Lake Orange Expressway interchange.
• SR 516 is expected to improve travel between western Orange County and Lake County.

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Drivers in the Horizon West area should prepare for overnight traffic changes this week as construction continues on the future SR 516 Lake Orange Expressway interchange at State Road 429.

Beginning March 9, crews will place bridge beams over SR 429 near Schofield Road, part of the ongoing work to build the new interchange that will connect the future SR 516 expressway to SR 429. To complete that work, SR 429 will close nightly between Seidel Road and New Independence Parkway from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

If you regularly drive this stretch late at night, expect detours, shifting traffic patterns, and a little more patience required than usual.

Detours Will Send Traffic Onto Nearby Roads

During the overnight closures, drivers will be routed around the construction zone using nearby surface roads. According to project detour plans, traffic will be directed onto Avalon Road, Phil Ritson Way, Porter Road, Seidel Road, and New Independence Parkway.

For Horizon West residents, that means some of the usual connector roads may see extra overnight traffic while crews work near the Schofield Road interchange. Anyone traveling through the corridor after dark should plan ahead, follow posted signage, and allow extra time to get around the closure area.

It may only be overnight, but for local drivers, especially those used to a quieter late-night commute, the impact will definitely be noticeable.

Why the SR 516 Project Matters

These closures are part of a much bigger project. SR 516, known as the Lake Orange Expressway, is a planned 4.4-mile toll road being developed by the Central Florida Expressway Authority to improve east-west connectivity between Orange County and Lake County.

The new roadway will run west from SR 429 to US 27 in Lake County, creating a new transportation corridor across one of the fastest-growing parts of Central Florida. The goal is to relieve pressure on existing east-west routes like State Road 50 and US 192, which currently handle much of the traffic moving between the two counties.

The corridor is being built in three segments, with the eastern portion including the major interchange now under construction at SR 429. That interchange will also connect to the planned Valencia Parkway extension, which is expected to run south from Schofield Road. Farther west, SR 516 will continue toward US 27, with future roadway connections supporting growth in Lake County’s Wellness Way area.

A Bigger Vision for Horizon West and Beyond

What makes SR 516 especially interesting is that it’s being designed as more than just another toll road. Plans for the corridor include a wildlife crossing tunnel, multi-use trail connections, solar installations, and even a pilot program testing in-pavement wireless charging technology for electric vehicles.

That bigger vision reflects just how fast this part of Central Florida is changing. For Horizon West, the immediate concern is the overnight closures and detours near SR 429. But long term, SR 516 is expected to become an important regional route that helps support continued growth in both western Orange County and Lake County.

For now, drivers should simply be ready for overnight disruptions starting March 9 and keep an eye on detour signs around the construction zone. It’s one more temporary traffic headache, but it’s tied to a project that could have a major impact on how this area moves in the years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is causing the overnight closures on SR 429?
The overnight closures are needed so crews can place bridge beams over SR 429 near Schofield Road as part of construction for the future SR 516 Lake Orange Expressway interchange.

When will the SR 429 closures happen?
The closures are scheduled nightly beginning March 9 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Where will SR 429 be closed?
SR 429 will be closed between Seidel Road and New Independence Parkway during the overnight construction work.

What roads will be used for the detour?
Drivers will be rerouted using Avalon Road, Phil Ritson Way, Porter Road, Seidel Road, and New Independence Parkway.

How will this affect Horizon West drivers?
Residents and drivers in Horizon West may see more overnight traffic on nearby connector roads and should expect changing traffic patterns around the construction zone.

What is SR 516?
SR 516, also known as the Lake Orange Expressway, is a planned 4.4-mile toll road that will connect SR 429 in Orange County to US 27 in Lake County.

Why is SR 516 important?
The project is designed to improve east-west travel between Orange County and Lake County and help reduce congestion on existing routes like State Road 50 and US 192.

Will SR 516 include anything besides the roadway?
Yes. Plans for the corridor include a wildlife crossing tunnel, multi-use trail connections, solar installations, and a pilot program for in-pavement wireless EV charging technology.

When will SR 516 be completed?
The blog does not list a final completion date, but construction is actively moving forward on the interchange at SR 429.

Should drivers plan ahead for late-night travel?
Yes. Anyone traveling through the area at night should allow extra time, expect detours, and follow posted signs around the closure area.

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