By Jim Carchidi
May 13, 2026
Major road improvements are on the way in Horizon West. Safety, connectivity, drainage and infrastructure upgrades were developed through public-private partnerships between Orange County and regional developers with some completions anticipated early next year.
The Orlando Real received the following progress update from county representatives.
Flemings Road
Drone photo by Corey Horton
The $19.5 million project will connect to Sawgrass Bay Boulevard at the Lake County line, adding a 10-foot-wide multiuse path at the north side and a sidewalk on the south side. The road will be widened from two lanes to four with upgrades and enhanced drainage added at the CR 535/Flemings Road/Western Way intersection.
An Orange County spokesperson told The Orlando Real the project was more than 23% complete at the end of March. Curb and drainage installation and base work has been completed from the end of the project limits to Eastmoor Drive. Drainage installation is continuing toward the Avalon Road intersection, which is also undergoing utilities installation. Work has also started on Western Way, including curb removal, backfill placement, and excavation at the pond.
Construction is expected to be completed late February 2027.
New Independence Parkway
Image courtesy of Orange County
A one-mile extension of a new, four-lane divided roadway is connecting the existing parkway east of Avalon Road to Wellness Way at the Lake County border. A 10-foot-wide multiuse path will be added on both sides with stormwater treatment, traffic signals, signage and pavement markings, roadway lighting, and landscaping added within the corridor.
The county confirms the $14.5 million project was more than 54% complete at the end of March with curb, soil cement, and drainage installation from the Lake County line to Wincy Grove installed. Soil cement work is continuing from Wincy Grove to Avalon Road, and drainage installation is complete along New Independence Parkway and Avalon Road. Roadway work has also begun on Avalon Road.
The project is currently projected for completion in late January 2027.
Ficquette Road
An Orange County project map shows the new Ficquette Road design
Approximately 2.0 miles of Ficquette Road will be expanded from two to four lanes, south of the Reams Road/Summerlake Park Boulevard intersection to south of the Ingelnook Drive intersection.
A shared-use trail will be added on the west side and a five-foot concrete sidewalk will be added along the east side. A realignment of the existing S-curve will be made at the Ficquette Road/Reams Road/Summerlake Park Boulevard intersection along with the addition of a roundabout. Intersection improvements will also be made at Old Thicket Trace, New Independence Parkway and the Deputy Scott Pine Community Park entrance. Upgrades to drainage and lighting are scheduled.
Duke Energy is in the process of relocating utility poles and is expected to finished within weeks. Site clearing has begun along Ficquette Road and is anticipated to be completed within the next month.
Drainage work is scheduled to begin in July, along with the excavation of Reams Pond. Excavated material will be used as backfill for Ficquette Road.
The project cost is estimated at $60 million and construction is expected to take two years with completion in March 2028.
Note: All timelines are subject to weather impacts throughout the rainy season. The Ficquette Road two-year schedule can easily add 90-180 days due to those conditions.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
Enjoy this blog post? Click here to subscribe for updates
1 Response to Progress updates on 3 Horizon West road projects
Tell us about the Hancock Rd extension completion from Wellness Way to Hartwood Marsh Rd!
Posted by Darlene McKinney on Thursday, May 14th, 2026 at 5:06pmLeave A Comment