Orlando, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is urging the public to vote for the Orange Blossom Trail Pedestrian Safety Improvements project, which has been named a finalist in the 2024 America’s Transportation Awards. This life-saving project, aimed at improving pedestrian safety on one of Central Florida's most dangerous corridors, is now competing for the People’s Choice Award, and your vote can make a difference.

Vote online daily at americastransportationawards.org. Voting continues through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 29.

The 1.2-mile stretch of Orange Blossom Trail (U.S. 441) between Holden Avenue and 34th Street has long been notorious for pedestrian and bicycle crashes. From 2014 to 2019, there were 70 crashes resulting in 57 injuries and 13 fatalities.

FDOT's $9 million investment in the Orange Blossom Trail Pedestrian Safety Improvements project aimed to change that – and there have been no fatalities in this segment of Orange Blossom Trail since the project was completed last year.

The project introduced raised crosswalks to naturally slow traffic, new pedestrian signals, and additional midblock and signalized crossings. These enhancements have created more frequent and safer crossing opportunities, with strategically placed fencing guiding pedestrians to safe areas. The speed limit was also lowered to 30 mph.

In collaboration with LYNX, bus stops were relocated near these crossings to ensure safe and convenient transit access. Feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many pedestrians reporting that they now feel safer navigating the corridor.

Watch the video about how the project evolved at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdGyA-oEx1M. More information on the project is available on the project website at https://www.cflroads.com/project/449403-1.

Vote for America’s Transportation Awards at americastransportationawards.org. Voting continues through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 29.