Stop the Connector
Stop the SR 417 Expressway Airport Connector and Save Our Sanford
Protecting Our Community
Our grassroots movement is dedicated to opposing the proposed highway connector project between SR 417 and the Orlando Sanford International airport. Our mission is to protect our communities from the negative impacts of this project, including decreased home values, noise pollution, harm to the environment and wildlife, increase in transient population and additional traffic near residential communities. We believe that by coming together and advocating for our community's needs, we can make a difference and ensure that our voices are heard. Join us in the fight to protect our community and stop the connector project.
Help Save Your Community
Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our community's needs are heard. Don't wait - fill out the official Central Florida Expressway Authority's official comment form and let them know you don't want the connector in our neighborhoods!
The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) initiated a Concept, Feasibility, and Mobility (CF&M) Study in August 2022 to assess the viability of a potential connector between State Road 417 (Seminole Expressway) and the Orlando Sanford International Airport, spanning approximately two miles. The study aims to develop and evaluate transportation alternatives that improve connectivity and accommodate future traffic growth, while providing a direct connection between SR 417 and the airport. A previous study completed in 2007 recommended consideration of the project, but it was deemed financially unfeasible based on traffic analyses at that time. The current CF&M study will determine the feasibility of new, yet-to-be-identified alternatives based on engineering, economic, and environmental evaluations, and will assess the project's viability based on current traffic analyses.
As residents of the area, we are deeply concerned about the proposed connector project that would bring a raised overpass visible from our homes, noise pollution, and litter to our neighborhoods. We chose to live in Sanford because of its unique beauty and natural surroundings, and we don't want to see that destroyed by a project that prioritizes convenience over the quality of life of the residents. We urge decision-makers to take into consideration the impact that this project would have on our community, and to prioritize alternative solutions that don't come at such a high cost to our homes and environment.
To better understand the impact to the area, we've taken a video of the affected area. The footage starts just North of path 3C and roughly follows the path up through 3B up to the Airport Entrance on Red Cleveland Blvd. The footage then pans to show the path of Route 1, which unfortunately can't be seen from a closer vantage as the active runway airspace extends through the first half of the Kensington Reserve subdivision. Path's 2 and 3 will have a substantial impact on the Concorde subdivision, routing expressway traffic directly through the community and then through the preserve behind Kensington Reserve.
REASONS TO OPPOSE THE SR 417 TO ORLANDO SANFORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONNECTOR
Safety In Our Communities
The proposed connector project could lead to an increase in panhandling and homelessness in the surrounding areas. Offramps from expressways are known to attract individuals experiencing homelessness, who may see them as a place to solicit donations from drivers or as a convenient location to set up camp. As residents of the affected communities, we do not want to see our neighborhoods become a hub for panhandling or homelessness. We want to feel safe and secure in our own homes, and we don't want our children to be exposed to these issues when they play outside.
Depreciating Home Values
The proposed connector project could lead to the depreciation of home values in the affected communities. This means that homeowners could potentially lose a significant amount of their investment due to decreased property values. By opposing the connector, we can protect our home values and ensure that our investments are secure.
Traffic Congestion
The connector project would bring additional traffic to the surrounding communities, potentially causing congestion and making it more difficult for residents to get to work or school. By opposing the connector, we can ensure that our roads remain safe and efficient for all drivers.
Environmental Damage
The connector project could harm the environment and wildlife in the area, including wetlands and natural habitats. By opposing the connector, we can protect our natural resources and preserve the beauty of our community for future generations.
Alternatives Exist
There are alternative solutions to the proposed connector project that would not have such a negative impact on our community, such as building an exit on Airport Blvd. Airport Blvd has an entrance to SR 417, but doesn't have an exit. Airport Blvd already leads directly into the airport. By opposing the connector, we can advocate for these alternative solutions and ensure that our community's needs are met in a way that is both effective and sustainable.
Impact on Quality of Life
The proposed connector project would have a significant impact on the quality of life for residents in the surrounding communities. By opposing the connector, we can protect our community's way of life and ensure that our voices are heard when it comes to important decisions that affect us.
It's not too late!
Time is running out to make your voice heard about the connector project. The feasibility study ends soon, so if you want to see changes in the proposed project, it's important to get engaged today. View the study schedule chart and reach out to make your concerns known. Together, we can protect our community and ensure that our voices are heard.
Who can I contact?
Jay Zembower
Seminole County Board of Commissioners District 2
407-665-7205
Andria Herr
Seminole County Commissioner Representing Seminole County on the CFX Board
407-665-7209
bmccracken@seminolecountyfl.gov
Sheena R Britton
City of Sanford Commissoner District 1
(407)688.5001
Sheena.britton@sanfordfl.gov
Additional SR 417 to Orlando Sanford International Airport Connector Information
Central Florida Expressway Authority
Want to Learn More?
If you would like to learn more about the connector project and the feasibility study presented by the expressway authority, you can view the presentation. This presentation provides detailed information about the proposed project and its potential impacts on our community. Additionally, if you would like to receive updates regarding this study, you can email ConceptStudies@cfxway.com to be added to the study database. By staying informed and engaged, we can work together to ensure that our community's needs are heard and our voices are represented.