Central Florida Expressway Authority to open safety-enhancing flex lanes this summer
The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) has announced that it will open its first flex lanes on state roads (SR) 417 and 429 this summer as part of capacity improvement projects on those roadways.
Flex lanes, also known as managed lanes, are designed to dynamically adjust to real-time traffic conditions. They can be opened or closed based on traffic volumes, time of day, or in response to incidents, thereby optimising road capacity and enhancing traffic flow.
The flexibility aims to help alleviate congestion during peak hours and provide a reliable alternative route for drivers, particularly during emergencies or planned events. The flex lanes on SR 417 and SR 429 will reportedly be the first of their kind in the southeast of the USA. They will be operational during peak traffic times and will be clearly marked with overhead electronic signs indicating their availability.
A red X means a lane is closed and a green arrow means a lane is open. When a lane is about to open or close, the overhead sign will display a yellow X. CFX’s flex lanes will be open to all vehicles, providing an additional option for motorists looking to avoid congestion on the main lanes.
Brian Hutchings, manager of communications at CFX, said: “The introduction of flex lanes is a pivotal component of our strategy to enhance mobility and reduce congestion across Central Florida’s expressway network.
“By leveraging advanced traffic management technologies, we can provide a more responsive and adaptable transportation system for our community.”
The first section of SR 417 with flex lanes will be from International Drive to John Young Parkway, where testing has already started. Eventually flex lanes will be available for use there to SR 528. CFX said it also has plans to bring flex lanes to SR 429, from Tilden Road to SR 414, operational in late 2025.
Drivers who do not follow the rules and only use the new flex lanes when they are operational could face a fine and points on their license. Prior to commencing testing, CFX conducted public outreach to ensure drivers were informed about the new flex lanes and how to use them safely.
Information campaigns, including social media updates, community meetings, and partnerships with local media, were launched to educate the public on the benefits and operational details of the flex lanes.
CFX plans to monitor the performance of the flex lanes on SR 417 and SR 429, with data collected from the initial implementations used to assess the effectiveness of the lanes and inform potential future expansions to other parts of the expressway network.