Maitland Boulevard bridge in the works

Maitland is looking into building a bridge to keep cut-through traffic off of Maitland Avenue and make Maitland Boulevard traffic flow more smoothly. The flyover project is working its way through the planning process to get its wings.

In a special workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Maitland City Council reviewed the second phase of plans for the proposed flyover, which would allow Maitland Boulevard traffic to “fly over” Maitland Avenue without stopping. The plans would also limit turning options for drivers going north and south at the intersection on Maitland Avenue to persuade commuters to use U.S. Highway 17-92 to get on and off Maitland Boulevard instead of Maitland Avenue.

“Right now, the (traffic) pressure is here (at Maitland Avenue),” said Steve Thieken, director of transportation systems design and planning with Burgess & Niple. “The question is do you want it stay here, or move the pressure to 17-92?”

The proposed single-point urban interchange would eliminate the ability for those traveling on Maitland Avenue to make a right turn when heading northbound through the intersection, and ax the ability for those heading southbound to make a left turn. Installing the overpass, Thieken said, would require approval from the Florida Department of Transportation and the acquisition of property from the Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, Lake Faith Villas, and the MMH Medical Center, all of which boarder the intersection.

“To do this in a built up area… it’s going to take some trade offs,” Thieken said.

The project as-proposed would require the JCC to give up portions of two of its tennis courts, for Lake Faith Villas to move its exterior barrier wall, and for the MMH Medical Center to give up some of its parking. The flyover would work in conjunction with already-approved widening of Maitland Boulevard from four lanes to six, which is set for construction in 2018.

With four of the five City Council members in favor of moving forward with the drafting of the project, city staff is set to propose the flyover plans to FDOT for approval. The Council also requested that staff contact nearby property owners who would be affected by the project to get their thoughts.

Councilman Mike Thomas said if the city doesn’t gradually introduce Maitland residents to the idea of the flyover, the Council should prepare for a backlash.

“These are the things we need to take to the community,” he said. “…Or confront a mob in here when we start trying to do this.”

Councilwoman Bev Reponen was the only Council member to discourage the city from moving forward with the proposal. She said she’s concerned with what the cost for the project will end up being, especially if it were to fall on the city to foot the bill.

“As far as I’m concerned, I would want to pull out right now,” she said. “…I don’t see enough upside right now.”

The other Council members said they were in favor of continuing the process to get an idea of the cost and the opinion of local residents.

“We can’t do nothing,” Mayor Dale McDonald said. “So we’ve got to find someway to make progress here otherwise this is going to be the next malfunction junction.”