In 2005, Osceola County was already experiencing significant population growth, and future projections indicated this trend would continue.

Including the Osceola Parkway Extension (SR 534) in the comprehensive plan was a proactive measure to identify and reserve a corridor for a future east-west transportation route, ensuring that future growth would have adequate transportation access.

Osceola County, Osceola County Expressway Authority (OCX) and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) conducted multiple studies in 2012 that included a preliminary feasibility study for Osceola Parkway Extension and a Project Development & Environment (PD&E) study. These studies concluded that the Osceola Parkway Extension (SR 534) would provide one solution to enhance mobility for the area’s fast-growing population and economy.

The Task Force was charged with evaluating and developing consensus recommendations for future transportation corridors in East Central Florida critical to the state’s economic competitiveness and quality of life over the next 50 years. The Task Force consisted of 13 members representing public, private and civic organizations.  

The Task Force Charge Included:  

• Recommend guiding principles for coordination of future transportation and land use planning  

• Review and determine consistency among existing state, regional, and local transportation plans  

• Review local and regional land use and development plans and determine consistency with transportation plans  

• Consider and recommend general purpose, need, and location for new or enhanced transportation corridors  

• Solicit and consider agency, stakeholder, and public input  

• Recommend proposed action plan for new or enhanced transportation corridors 

The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) was established in 2014 with an expanded mandate to build and maintain a regional transportation network that connects Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Brevard County was added by statute 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 2016, the Central Florida Expressway Authority incorporated the Osceola County Expressway Authority’s (OCX) master plan segments into the CFX Master Plan, a significant step in regional transportation planning and integration.

Incorporation into the CFX Master Plan positioned CFX to lead the development, funding, construction, and operation of these planned expressway segments, ensuring the transportation routes needed to serve this growing population.

In 2017, the Osceola County Expressway Authority (OCX) completed the Osceola Parkway Extension PD&E Study and approved a Project Environmental Impact Report (PEIR). These steps ensured that the project adhered to legal and regulatory frameworks, which is essential for obtaining the necessary permits and approvals to proceed with design and construction.

By OCX completing these studies, it helped determine the proposed corridor’s social, economic, natural, and physical environmental effects and defined the most viable and least impactful alternative for Osceola Parkway Extension (SR 534).

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CFX conducted a number of its own studies to evaluate the Osceola Parkway Extension project (SR 534) utilizing previous analysis and studies done by prior agencies and organizations.

The Concept, Feasibility and Mobility Study* (CF&M) for the Osceola Parkway Extension addressed congestion and the plan for population growth in this rapidly expanding area.

Public engagement was an integral part of the CF&M study, including conducting Project Advisory and Environmental Group and community and civic group meetings, as well as public meetings.

*A Concept, Feasibility & Mobility Study is performed to determine if a transportation corridor is viable in accordance with CFX policies and procedures. This type of study typically evaluates and documents the physical, natural, social and cultural environment within the corridor and the potential impacts associated with the various mobility alternatives. 

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Also in 2018, CFX officially began re-evaluating the Osceola County Expressway Authority’s (OCX) Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study, which included an evaluation of potential routes.  The goal was to refine the preferred alternative location for the road that was previously approved by OCX. Since design changes to the Osceola Parkway Extension PD&E were made to minimize impacts to conservation land and neighboring residences, CFX took the appropriate action to perform a PD&E Study Re-evaluation on the project.

• November 2019: CFX engaged with key stakeholders regarding the Re-evaluation study including the Environmental Advisory Group (EAG) and Project Advisory Group (PAG). Additionally, a public meeting was held at Lake Nona Middle School with more than 400 attendees. Public comments received showed 61% support of the Preferred Alternative that minimizes the impact to the Split Oak Forest.

• December 2019: In mid-December, CFX’s Governing Board approved the Preferred Alternative for Osceola Parkway Extension from the Re-evaluation study. Later that month, the Board of County Commissioners at Orange and Osceola counties approved resolutions supporting the Preferred Alternative for the Osceola Parkway Extension (OPE) Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study Re-evaluation and petitioning Florida Communities Trust (FCT).

Click to expand the Preferred Alternative Map, known as the Split Oak Minimization Alternative. This map includes Phases 1 and 2, from SR 417 to south of Cyrils Drive.

The Northeast Connector Expressway (Phase 1) PD&E Study was completed in 2022 for a segment of the CF&M study corridor, designated as Northeast Connector Expressway Phase 1 (from Cyrils Drive to Nova Road).
The map below shows the study area. This 4-mile segment has since been redesignated as part of SR 534.  

In mid-2022, the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Board unanimously approved a request by Orange and Osceola counties to amend the purchase grant agreement and allow for the roadway through Split Oak, characterized as a linear facility. FCT approved this request with specific requirements that would need to be met.

In May 2022, CFX unanimously approved a resolution that matched the FCT requirements. The resolution of support increases the protection of conservation lands within the Central Florida region. The Resolution presents a list of environmental enhancements, including:

• $13 million for restoration and maintenance of over 1,550 acres of donated land in Orange and Osceola counties.
• A linear easement for the 1.3-mile section through the southwest corner of the Split Oak Forest in Osceola County.
• CFX supports the efforts to ensure that gopher tortoise mitigation easement areas within the project limits are replaced with areas suitable for gopher tortoise habitat.
• The CFX Commitments went above and beyond what the Florida Communities Trust required.

In January 2023, the design for Phase 1 of SR 534 began from SR 417 near Boggy Creek Road to Narcoossee Road. This 4.9-mile expressway will feature full interchanges at SR 417, Simpson Road, and Narcoossee Road, a half interchange at Laureate Boulevard, and a 1.3-mile extension of Simpson Road.

View the Phase 1 Design of SR 534

In October 2023, FWC staff received a request from Osceola County for the partial release of easements within the Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area. Staff brought the proposal to the December 5, 2023, Commission meeting, where extensive public comments were received. FWC Commissioners provided direction that CFX should negotiate with the parties, and staff would return to a future Commission meeting with potential mitigation that could provide a net positive benefit.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved an agreement on May 1, 2024, to release 60 acres of Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area’s conservation easements. To help mitigate the impact, adjacent land for conservation was secured as part of a total package valued at $66 million.

This mitigation, driven by SR 534, is considered a positive benefit for conservation, providing significant funding for land management and restoration, access improvements, and visitor amenities.

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In December 2024, the design for Phase 2 of SR 534 began from East of Narcoossee Road to Cyrils Drive. This will include a 1.3-mile expressway through the Southern section of Split Oak in Osceola County, which will include bridged sections for continued forest access and connectivity. The expressway will feature two lanes in each direction.

CFX is committed to providing adequate funding for the restoration and management of donated land to ensure that impacted portions are returned and maintained as high-quality habitat.

For a complete overview of the CFX Environmental Commitments, see the SR 534 Environmental Stewardship Page

Osceola County, FWC and CFX entered into an Interlocal Agreement outlining each of the parties’ responsibilities as they relate to Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area (SOFWEA), Osceola Parkway Extension (OPE), and the donated lands. The agreement was based on specific requirements from the Florida Communities Trust in 2022.

The agreement formalized the mitigation, land management responsibilities, and financial obligations of CFX to the parties related to the toll road, while also outlining key provisions related to land impact, conservation measures, management, and regulatory compliance to ensure long-term sustainability of the project.

Key provisions of the agreement include:

• Land Impact & Easement Release: 60 acres of Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area (SOFWEA) within Osceola County will be impacted by SR 534. To facilitate construction, the FWC and Osceola County have or will approve the release of conservation easements on these lands.
• Mitigation & Conservation Land Donation: CFX will donate acres of new land for conservation. Approximately 968 acres are within Orange County and approximately 582 acres in Osceola County. The total 1,550 acres of donated land will be conveyed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), which will then transfer to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Division of State Lands, within two years of the agreement’s execution.
• Long-Term Management & Funding: CFX will provide significant funding to FWC for the following amounts:
  • $23.9 million to FWC for the long-term management of the 1,550 acres to support habitat restoration, wildlife protection, and land stewardship. FWC will retain conservation oversight to ensure compliance with habitat preservation objectives.
  • $18 million to FWC for purchase of additional environmentally sensitive lands in lieu of purchasing mitigation bank credits.
  • $1.25 million to FWC for project improvements to be in place within five years in both Orange and Osceola Counties. The projects identified include enhancements to the entrance of Split Oak within Orange County, construction of the Split Oak Bonnet Pond viewing platform, picnic pavilions in the Orange County portion of Split Oak, a parking area, picnic facilities, and trail head in the Osceola County portion of Split Oak and trail construction within the donated lands.

CFX held two Public Meetings for the design of State Road 534 – Phase 1.  The in-person public meeting was held at Tohopekaliga High School on November 12 and the virtual (online) session on November 13 through Microsoft Teams.