1983 1973 1963 ORLANDO-ORANGE COUNTY EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY Saving time, connecting communities for fifty years. 1
1960s: The Beginning Ideas, Change and Progress The Bee Line SR 528 Space race Florida Technological University (to become UCF) East Central Florida Regional Planning Council did you know? 1960s POPULATION: 394,899 ( 60 Orlando) PRICE OF A GALLON OF GAS: $.34 ( 69) Centerline Miles: 20.1 Toll Revenue: $.284 M (FY 69) First Board: Raymond E. Barnes, Chairman; D.P. Hewitt; Lloyd Gahr; Ex-Officio Members: Donald Evans, Orange County Chairman; Max Brewer, State Road Board Member. At the first board meeting, there was a discussion of a beltline around the Orlando metropolitan area. 1967: SR 528 Bee Line construction costs come in at $6.8 million for 23 miles. Florida Magazine highlighted the Bee Line as well as other future innovations such as: a university and a convention center. The original Bee Line map. The Bee Line was conceptualized in 1963 and made a reality in 1967. 1960s Central Florida Roadway (UCF) (west) Courtesy of the Orange County Regional History Center Courtesy of the Orange County Regional History Center Courtesy of the Orange County Regional History Center Traffic around the airport could now be directed to the Bee Line. This photo shows SR 436 heading southbound towards the airport. The dedication ceremony on July 14, 1967, signified the grand opening of the Bee Line to the public. Martin Anderson, Richard L. Fletcher, Willard Peebles and their families were recognized for their leadership in bringing the Bee Line to Central Florida. Florida Technical University (FTU) would later be known as the University of Central Florida, the second largest university in the nation. A major university was one of the three goals set by the Central Florida Development Commission. 3
1970s: A Time for Connecting East-West expressway SR 408 OrlandO international Airport Bee Line Extensions Walt Disney World did you know? 1970s POPULATION: 522,575 ( 70 Orlando) PRICE OF A GALLON OF GAS: $.63 ( 79) Centerline Miles: 31.4 Toll Revenue: $5.8 M (FY 79) 1971: SR 408 is named the Spessard Lindsay Holland East-West Expressway in honor of the popular four-term United States Senator from Lakeland, who also served as Governor. 1972: Expressway Authority headquarters is located under the East-West Expressway at 525 South Magnolia AvenuE. 1978: 73,000, daily average of cars using the East-West Expressway. A warm welcome to drivers entering the newly opened East-West Expressway for the first time solidified the expressway s successful completion. Courtesy of the Orange County Regional History Center Concrete from the initial construction of the East-West Expressway. 1970s Central Florida Roadway (west)? Cover image from the 1970 Proposed East-West Expressway Traffic and Revenue Report. Construction of the East-West Expressway through downtown Orlando allowed for convenient travel all around Central Florida. With delays due to right-of-way, constitutional and reorganizational considerations, East-West Expressway completion was far more complex than the Bee Line. Expressway Authority Chairman Jim Greene, Florida Governor Reubin Askew and Orlando Mayor Carl Langford at the groundbreaking of the East-West Expressway. 5 Courtesy of the Orange County Regional History Center
1980s: Growth Fosters Expansion did you know? 1980s POPULATION: 804,925 ( 80 Orlando) PRICE OF A GALLON OF GAS: $.90 ( 89) Centerline Miles: 58 Toll Revenue: $31.8 M (FY 89) Courtesy of the Orange County Regional History Center Central Florida GreeneWay SR 417 Orange County Convention Center East-West Expressway Extension EpCot Center 5K road race celebrating the opening of the Central Florida GreeneWay. The Eastern Beltway construction helped connect outlying areas to the East-West Expressway and I-4. 1983: Florida Governor Bob Graham dedicates the opening of the Bee Line Airport Interchange. 1985: The Expressway Authority has ONE employee, Susan Simon, the office manager. 1987: Groundbreaking ceremony held for the Northeastern Beltway, which would later become the Central Florida GreeneWay. Florida Governor Bob Martinez arrives to the event via helicopter. 1980s Central Florida Roadway Seminole Community College (west) A series of billboards in the 1980s helped to spread the word that the East-West Expressway is convenient, as well as a gas, time and money saver. The East-West Expressway Extension in 1989 provided travel convenience to SR 50. Late 1980s skyline view of the SunTrust Center and Fairwinds Credit Union Tower from the East-West Expressway symbolized the growth of Downtown Orlando. Drivers on the GreeneWay could conveniently access the East-West Expressway, allowing traffic to quickly reach Central Florida roadways. 7
1963 1994 2010 is created by the Florida Legislature i-4 completed from Tampa to Orlando 1965 work begins on The Bee Line Walt Disney announces plans for Disney World Kennedy space center expansion is completed 1968 Florida technical university opens (UCF) 1973 the East-West Expressway (SR 408) opens Sea World Opens Bee Line extended west from Sand Lake Rd. to Florida s Turnpike 1978 Florida Technical University becomes University of Central Florida 1984 SR 417 extends South from sr 50 to sr 528 SR 408 extends west from Kirkman rd. to Florida s turnpike Universal Studios opens 1991 new agency logo E-PASS introduced on SR 417 SR 417 extended north from Aloma Ave. to US 17/92 in SAnford 1990 2003 1996 SR 417 extended south from SR 535 to i-4 Full interchange for SR 408/florida s turnpike is completed widening of SR 408 begins 2006 SR 429 extended south from Seidel Rd. to i-4 construction begins on second phase of SR 414 construction begins on SR 408/SR 417 interchange improvements THE NEw AMway Center opens its doors 2011 Construction begins on Dr. phillips Center for the Performing Arts 2013 the second phase of SR 414 OPens O r l a n d o - o r a n g e c o u n t y E x p r e s s w a y a u t h o r i t y S a v i n g t i m e, c o n n e c t i n g c o m m u n i t i e s f o r F I F T Y y e a r s. Florida s Turnpike opens from Ft. Pierce to Wildwood 1964 orlando-orange county expressway authority SR 528 The Bee Line opens 1967 Walt Disney World opens I-4 completed from Tampa to Daytona Beach 1971 McCoy Air Force Base becomes Orlando International Airport 1975 SR 528 completes the airport interchange Orange county convention center opens 1983 new agency logo 1986 SR 417 opens 1988 SR 408 extends east from Goldenrod Rd. to SR 50 past Alafaya Trail SR 429 Extends from Sr 50 to CR 535 SR 417 extended north from US 17/92 to i-4 SR 429 extends south from CR 535 to Seidel Rd. SR 417 Completes interchanges for Moss Park Rd. and Innovation Way SR 417 extends the first segment 1989 south from sr 528 2012 of Sr 414 opens to international dr. 2002 2005 1993 The Medical City s Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute opens 2009 Agreement reached to complete the beltway community florida department of transportation
1990s: Refining the Road E-Pass introduced Universal Studios SR 417 And SR 408 Extensions did you know? 1990s POPULATION: 1,224,852 ( 90 Orlando) PRICE OF A GALLON OF GAS: $1.17 ( 99) Centerline Miles: 88.3 Toll Revenue: $114.7 M (FY 99) 1992: E-PASS is adopted as the name for the Electronic Tolling System (the first in Florida), two years before it s deployed. 1995: Dedicated E-PASS lanes are available system-wide and all toll gate arms are removed. 1995: 5,000 E-PASS customers. 1998: American Automobile Association (AAA) names SR 417 One of America s Top Ten Roads. Chairman A. Wayne Rich delivered a speech celebrating both the 30th Anniversary of the Expressway Authority and the opening of the Southern Connector section of SR 417. 1990s Central Florida Roadway Seminole Community College Seminole Community College Amway Arena Sunset as SR 408 commuters drive across scenic Lake Underhill. Maintaining the natural aesthetics of the environment is important to the Expressway Authority. E-PASS reduced toll lane congestion and improved traffic flow by streamlining the entire toll collection system. Expansion of SR 417 extended the Expressway both North and South. Original E-PASS transponders were placed on car bumpers. Through the years E-PASS transponders have evolved to the sticker tags available today. Courtesy of the Orange County Regional History Center 11
2000s: Advancing Safety and Convenience Express Lanes Open Road Tolling Medical City opens John Land Apopka Expressway SR 414 Designated Texter safety campaign reaches1,000 pledges Wekiva Parkway New Amway Center Daniel Webster Western Beltway SR 429 Downtown Orlando in 2012 with SR 480 and I-4 in view. Over 56 million visitors traveled to Orlando in 2012. Leaders from Orange, Lake and Seminole counties joined Governor Rick Scott in planting a tree to commemorate the official kick-off of the Wekiva Parkway project, noted for its innovative, environmental solutions to completing the beltway around metro Orlando. did you know? 2000s POPULATION: 1,644,561 ( 00 Orlando) PRICE OF A GALLON OF GAS: $2.35 ( 09) Centerline Miles: 109 Toll Revenue: $262.6 M (FY 12) 2001: The Road Ranger program is introduced to help stranded motorists. 2003: SR 417 University Main Plaza converted to feature Express Lanes bringing Open Road Tolling, the first in Florida. 2004: The Wekiva Parkway & Protection Act is signed into law by Governor Jeb Bush. 2005: The Florida Legislature changes the name of SR 528 from the Bee Line to the Beachline. 2000s Central Florida Roadway (west) The Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute is part of the many research and educational facilities within Lake Nona Medical City, aided by SR 417. SR 414 construction began to provide a connection to Maitland, Seminole County and Altamonte Springs with SR 429 and Florida s Turnpike. To increase travel efficiency to the more than 35 million annual visitors to Orlando International Airport, the interchange of SR 528 and SR 436 was redesigned in 2005. The expansion of SR 408, which started in 2003, prioritized safety and improved the daily commute for thousands of residents and visitors. Lake Nona Medical City 13
Orlando-Orange County Expressway authority PARTNERS 2013 Expressway Authority Board Past Board Members Walter A. Ketcham, Jr. Chairman Scott Batterson, P.E. Vice Chairman Teresa Jacobs Secretary/Treasurer, Orange County Mayor Marco PeÑa Board Member Noranne B. Downs, P.E. Board Member, FDOT District 5 Secretary Tanya Juarez-Wilder 2009-2013 Jacob Stuart 1987-1988 Richard R. Swann 1973-1975 Mark Filburn 2007-2011 Robert S. Harrell 1987-1991 Paul Pickett 1972-1973 Richard T. Crotty 2001-2011 B.J. West 1987-1990 John H. Talton 1971-1975 Harvey Massey 2007-2009 Lou Treadway 1986-1987 Ralph Poe 1971-1971 Orlando L. Evora 2001-2007 Tom Dorman 1985-1989 James B. Greene 1971-1984 Arthur J. Lee 2003-2007 Allen Arthur 1985-1987 Carl T. Langford 1970-1970 Allan E. Keen 2002-2007 Hal Marston 1984-1985 Paul Pickett 1969-1970 George Gilhooley 2004-2006 Lou Treadway 1982-1984 James T. Cooper 1967-1968 Michael Snyder 1999-2004 Allen Arthur 1981-1982 Jeff B. Huppel 1967-1970 James H. Pugh, Jr. 1998-2002 E.V. Mason 1980-1981 F.B. Surguine 1966-1966 Mel Martinez 1998-2001 Lamar Thomas 1980-1980 Eldon C. Goldman 1966-1972 Inez J. Long 1993-2001 Allen Arthur 1979-1979 George J. Daniels 1965-1966 A. Wayne Rich 1992-2001 Lamar Thomas 1978-1978 Richard L. Fletcher 1965-1972 Nancy M. Houston 1992-1999 Jack Martin 1977-1977 John H. Talton 1965-1965 William A. Beckett 1995-1998 George M. Barley, Sr. 1975-1986 Willard Peebles 1965-1969 Linda W. Chapin 1991-1998 Wayne P. Reece 1975-1987 Sidney A. Singleton 1963-1965 Robert A. Mandell 1991-1995 Charles J. Hawkins 1975-1983 O.P. Hewett 1963-1965 Wilbur S. Gary 1983-1993 Ben Benham 1975-1976 Lloyd Gahr 1963-1964 Thomas F. Barry, Jr. 1989-1992 Jack Martin 1974-1974 Max Brewer 1963-1964 Hal Marston 1989-1990 William R. Poorbaugh 1973-1973 Donald S. Evans 1963-1964 Ben Watts 1988-1989 J. Thomas Gurney 1973-1974 Raymond E. Barnes 1963-1963 Photo credits: Courtesy of the Orange County Regional History Center. For additional information on the Orange County Regional History Center, please visit www.thehistorycenter.org. Amway Center photo: Ben Tanner. 15
2013 2003 1993 ORLANDO-ORANGE COUNTY EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY 4974 Orl Tower Rd Orlando, FL 32807 (407) 690.5000 www.oocea.com