More lanes coming to Reams, other Horizon West roads

The two-lane Reams Road, with its many twists and curves, is a driver’s nightmare, and it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. But there is a plan in place.

The road in Horizon West frequented by Walt Disney World cast members is on the list of Orange County roads projects and currently is in the design phase. About 60% of the design is completed for the 2.8-mile section.

The plan is to widen the road to four lanes from Summerlake Park Boulevard to Taborfield Avenue and add a raised median. Also in the construction plans are a five-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of the road and a 14-foot-wide multi-use trail on the north side. The project also will incorporate drainage improvements, lighting, landscaping and a wildlife crossing.

Construction plans should be completed in early 2022, according to Orange County. The timeline of construction calls for work to start in fall 2024 and end in fall 2026.

County officials are expected to send a project-update newsletter to residents this fall outlining the right of way acquisition.

The county has initiated multiple road-improvement plans for the Horizon West area.

• In the preliminary design study phase is a plan for transportation improvements on a 2.6-mile segment of County Road 545 from Water Springs Boulevard to south of New Hartzog Road and a one-mile portion of Flemings Road from east of 545 to the west county line. Improvements are to meet future travel demand needs on these two roadways.

• The county is conducting a safety and traffic-flow study for a two-mile segment of Tiny Road, from Tilden Road to the southern property line of Bridgewater Middle School. Community meetings are planned for this year.

• A project in the design phase consists of widening Ficquette Road from a two-lane, undivided road to a four-lane, divided road from south of Ingelnook Drive to south of Summerlake Park Boulevard. The 1.8-mile section will include a multi-use path on the west side and a sidewalk on the east side. Several of the road’s curves will be realigned.

• A preliminary design study has been initiated for the proposed road widening and realignment improvements to Avalon Road (County Road 545) in Village H. Four segments are proposed: Old YMCA Road to Schofield Road, North Marine Bay Drive to Old YMCA Road, North Flamingo Crossings to South Marine Bay Drive, and South Flamingo Crossings to North Flamingo Crossings.