Orange County meeting Thursday on McCulloch Road expansion

Orange County’s Local Planning Agency is holding a meeting this week to get feedback on a possible expansion to McCulloch Road, which lines part of the county’s border with Seminole County near Oviedo.

Because of its proximity, Seminole County Commissioners have discussed helping pay for the expansion in the area between unincorporated Oviedo and the University of Central Florida.

Previously, Seminole County commissioners have voiced concern that expanding McCulloch Road could eventually lead to further road expansions in the eastern part of the county, closer to the Econlockhatchee River, also known as the Econ river.

The Econ River Wilderness Area lies just east of the proposed expansion. – Photo by Isaac Benjamin Babcock

“What I’m concerned about is as we get closer to the river, I’m afraid that the state or someone could preempt us to go over the river, and I’m opposed to that,” Seminole County Commissioner Bob Dallari said back in April.

Orange County’s Local Planning Agency Public Hearing about the road expansion is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, May 21. It will be held at the Orange County Commission Chambers at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. in downtown Orlando.

Want to contact your elected leaders and weigh in on this topic? Find Orange County Commission contacts here, city of Oviedo contacts here, and Seminole County Commission contacts here. Have a news tip or opinion to share with OCN? Do that here.

Check here to read about Thursday’s meeting. This is not the final stop for the project, but gives an opportunity for public input. The Orange County Commission is expected to vote on the project at a meeting June 2 at 2 p.m.

Abe Aboraya is a Report for America corps member