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Central Florida Expressway Authority previews major corridor projects in Osceola County
Summary
CFX officials told the council the agency’s 2045 master plan includes nearly 50 new miles in Osceola County and outlined specific projects — Poinciana Parkway extension, Southport Connector, Northeast Connector Phase 2 and SR 534 work — with anticipated timelines and a $230 million CFX contribution for one segment.
Representatives of the Central Florida Expressway Authority briefed the St. Cloud City Council on multiple expressway projects affecting Osceola County and the city, saying the agency’s 2045 master plan has moved rapidly from study to implementation.
Will Hawthorne, CFX director of transportation planning and policy, told the council the county contains nearly 50 miles of new expressway alignments in the 2045 master plan and that almost all projects are now in planning, design or construction. Among the projects discussed:
- Poinciana Parkway extension: a roughly 3‑mile extension CFX is leading to connect into County Road 532/Osceola Polk Line Road; CFX said it is a “major financial partner” on the adjacent Turnpike/I‑4 connection and noted a CFX contribution of $230,000,000 toward getting the route all the way to I‑4.
- Southport Connector: a planned 15‑mile corridor currently in the Project Development & Environment (PD&E) planning phase, with three alignment alternatives under study, a planned completion of the PD&E by December of the year and public hearings anticipated this fall.
- Northeast Connector Phase 2 and State Route 534 improvements: large study areas (17–21 miles for the connector) and a multi‑segment design approach on SR 534; CFX anticipates the first SR 534 design package to go to construction bidding in early–mid 2027.
Hawthorne said the authority absorbed the Osceola County Expressway Authority and carried forward its master plan projects. He showed aerial time‑lapse imagery of Central Florida growth and stressed the window to build major corridors is closing as rooftops and development occupy available corridors.
Councilmembers pressed for details on phasing, multimodal accommodations and transit possibilities; Hawthorne said corridor designs include envelopes for multimodal options and that some segments reserve space for potential rail or bus rapid transit. Councilmember Gilbert urged continued communication about connections to Narcoossee Road and the airport corridor; Hawthorne and later Congressman Darren Soto (who addressed the council separately) discussed regional rail and Brightline/Tampa–Orlando connections as part of broader planning.
CFX said the Poinciana Parkway project is divided into design segments and permitting, and that one SR 534 design package is expected to reach construction within a few years, while planning for Southport Connector public hearings will come this fall.
