As the prime consultant, H&H led the PD&E (Project Development and Environment) study, which was crucial for developing and evaluating various interchange configurations. After a thorough traffic analysis, the goal was to present three build alternatives to the public. The project is distinctive because it involves system movements between two primary freeways and connections from these freeways to local surface streets. This complex undertaking required extensive engineering work, including roadway and bridge design, drainage planning, toll, and constructability analyses to ensure the project’s feasibility.
The study identified several challenges, such as the weaving and merging of movements in a trumpet interchange, reliance on surface streets for four system ramps, the potential for surface street congestion impacting freeway operations, and the future need for a ten-lane Turnpike. H&H explored over a hundred concepts, ultimately focusing on three key preliminary design and assessment alternatives.
The preferred alternative emerged with significant enhancements, including exclusive direct-connect ramps to improve traffic flow, braided ramps, and collector-distributor roads to optimize mainline operations. Additionally, two new reliever interchanges were proposed to alleviate surface street demand and distribute traffic more effectively. The study also addressed environmental and planning aspects, such as wetland delineation, wildlife assessments, consistency with local planning, Hazmat spill reviews, floodplain impact assessments, and coordination with stakeholders, including Orange County, FDOT District V, and the MPO.
For the final design, H&H focused on refining the project to ensure constructability and cost efficiency. This included creating a master plan for three major construction packages and two separate reliever interchanges. The phased construction approach, estimated at $200 million, involves strategic ramp modifications to eliminate a toll site and minimize impacts on three parcels. This careful planning aims to deliver a practical and economically viable solution for the interchange project.
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