What Is SR 534?
SR 534 is a 14-mile limited access toll expressway that will connect State Road 417 near Boggy Creek Road in Orange County to Nova Road in Osceola County.
Why is SR 534 important to Central Florida?
There is increasing demand for additional east-west routes to support the current needs of residents and businesses in Central Florida while preparing for planned growth in approved developments in southeast Orange and northeast Osceola counties. SR 534 will provide a solution to enhance mobility for the area’s fast-growing population and economy, improve connectivity to Orlando International Airport and relieve congestion on local roads.
How long has the Expressway been in planning?
What is now known as SR 534 has been part of various regional planning efforts since it was formally added to Osceola County’s Comprehensive Plan in 2005. Since then, the project has undergone several studies, including the original Project Development & Environment Study completed by the Osceola County Expressway Authority (OCX) in 2017.
When the Florida State Legislature created the Central Florida Expressway Authority, it was required to incorporate unbuilt expressway projects located within Osceola County into the CFX 2040 Master Plan.
In 2017, CFX began studying these projects to determine if they benefited the region and were possible to build. SR 534 met this threshold, so in 2018, CFX moved forward with a Project Development & Environment Re-evaluation Study to refine the preferred alternative location for the road that the Osceola County Expressway Authority previously approved.
The CFX Governing Board approved the current preferred alternative in December 2019. In January 2023, the design of SR 534 began and continues to be in progress.
Have members of the public had an opportunity for input on the location of SR 534?
Yes. Since 2017, nearly 2,000 members of the public attended meetings related to SR 534, submitting almost 1,000 comments into the record. At the December 2019 Public Workshop, 61% of the comments received supported the preferred alternative.
Will CFX build noise walls along the SR 534 project corridor?
CFX conducted a noise evaluation and produced a Noise Study Report as part of the PD&E Study. The Noise Study followed federal criteria to determine potential noise impacts to the community and possible ways to address it. Potential noise impacts also are being re-assessed during the design phase. Learn more at https://www.cfxway.com/purpose-and-planning-of-expressway-noise-walls/.
How does SR 534 fit with other roadway improvements planned in the area?
SR 534 would be part of a regional network of planned future expressways including SR 515 (Northeast Connector), the Southport Connector, and an extension of SR 538. Together, these corridors would form a 50-mile beltway through Osceola County. SR 534 is part of this broader regional solution that would support the area’s continuing growth while allowing motorists much-improved mobility options, and better access to major destinations.
What is THE ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE?*
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | SR 417 to Narcoossee Rd | Narcoossee Rd to North of Cyrils Dr | Cyrils Dr to Nova Rd |
| Design Completion | Early 2027 | Late 2026 | Mid-2028 |
| Construction Start | 2027 | Early 2027 | 2029 |
| Construction Completion | 2030/2032 | 2030 | 2032 |
*This schedule is subject to change.
How is the property acquisition process?
CFX occasionally needs to acquire privately owned property to build or enhance transportation facilities. To learn more about how right‑of‑way acquisition works, you can view our Right of Way Brochure here.
Will SR 534 take the environment into consideration?
Yes. The SR 534 alignment was shifted south and west to minimize impacts to the Split Oak Forest. Also, CFX has donated 1,550 acres of new conservation land to mitigate for the 60 acres of the forest impacted by the expressway. The donated land (shown on the map in darker green) is 25 times greater than the portion of the forest needed for the roadway.
Will SR 534 include bridges for wildlife?
SR 534 will feature three bridges for wildlife, trails, and maintenance, with the bridges extending 100-200 feet to allow animals and trail users to safely pass between habitats within the Split Oak Forest.
What will be the road elevation on Phase 2? Is anything being done to minimize the visual impacts of SR 534?
CFX is designing SR 534 to blend with the surrounding natural environment. The roadway elevation is expected to be approximately 30 feet above existing ground in the Split Oak Forest area and about 25 to 30 feet near Bridgewalk. Native landscaping will be incorporated wherever practicable throughout the corridor following major construction to help the project better integrate into its natural surroundings.
How much has CFX invested in helping to protect and preserve the environment?
CFX provided a $66 million package to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to address long-term management, additional conservation land acquisition, property enhancements and habitat restoration. The package included:
- Donated lands valued at $23 million
- $23.9 million for the long-term management of the 1,550 acres to support habitat restoration, wildlife protection, and land stewardship
- $18 million to purchase additional environmentally sensitive lands in lieu of purchasing mitigation bank credits
- $1.25 million for the Split Oak Forrest Wildlife and Environmental Area (SOFWEA) improvements, including enhancements to the entrance and picnic pavilions within Orange County, construction of the Bonnet Pond viewing platform, a parking area, and trail head in the Osceola County portion, as well as trail construction within the donated lands.
Did environmental agencies and government stakeholders help to shape SR 534?
Yes. Our commitment to reduce impacts, improve connectivity and access, and enhance long-term preservation efforts within Split Oak were shaped directly by feedback from the community and key stakeholders at both the local, regional, and state levels. Some of the agencies that have supported SR 534 planning include the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Osceola and Orange counties, the City of Orlando, and many more.