ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – This summer drivers will have a new option to get out of traffic jams on State Road 417. They’re called “flex lanes” and they’ll allow people to drive on the shoulder when there’s a crash or during peak congestion times.
Testing has already started on SR 417 between International Drive and John Young Parkway. If you drive in the area, you may have noticed messaging signs overhead and some of the lights now on over each lane.
When the system is operational, a green arrow will signify an open lane. Red Xs will show lanes that are closed. There is also a yellow sign for caution, or to signal a lane will be closed up ahead.
News 6 met with Brian Hutchings with the Central Florida Expressway Authority to see how they work.
“We’ve all seen it before, so you know it should be pretty intuitive for folks when they drive through the system,” said Hutchings.
Hutchings says the flex lanes will initially be used for congestion management during accidents. So, if there is an accident that is blocking a lane on SR 417, they’ll be able to open up a flex lane to help cars get around it.
“That really helps in a couple ways. One: it helps reduce backups resulting from the accident, which results in reliable trip times for folks. They know they’re not going to get stuck in traffic because of an incident,” said Hutchings. “And it also helps reduce secondary accidents.”
The first section of SR 417 with flex lanes will be from International Drive to John Young Parkway. Eventually flex lanes will be available for use there all the way to SR 528.
The Central Florida Expressway Authority also has plans to bring flex lanes to SR 429, from Tilden Road to SR 414. That stretch should be operational in late 2025.
“They were designed into the widening project,” said Hutchings. “There’s been so much tremendous growth in central Florida which has resulted in tremendous growth on our system.”
Similar technology has been used in other states, but this is a first for Florida. CFX hopes it will help with congestion during crashes and rush hour.
Drivers who do not follow the rules and only use the new flex lanes when they are operational will face consequences. That includes a hefty fine and points on your license.
“We think it’s going to work. We think it’s going to make a big impact, but we’re asking motorists who are driving through to use it properly,” said Hutchings. “Now that we have this, I think that, you know, it will really help people have a more reliable commute.”
Flex Lanes Fact Sheet 2024 by Christie Zizo on Scribd
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