Pedestrians can no longer cross Fairbanks Avenue at Interlachen Avenue, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Rollins College are redirecting them to Park or Ollie avenues instead.
FDOT shut off the traffic signal at 8 p.m. Oct. 22 and is removing the crosswalk as part of a safety project along State Road 426, according to a notice sent to the Rollins community. “With nearly 750 documented crashes occuring along this segment of S.R. 426 since 2018, multiple features included in this project were designed specifically to address these safety concerns,” Cindi Lane, public information director for FDOT District Five, said in an email to The Sandspur. The stretch between South Park and North Lakemont avenues serves a mix of residents, businesses, students, pedestrians, and drivers, and while a fresh coat of pavement is part of the plan, Lane said that is only the beginning.
“While resurfacing is a major part of the project, there are also several improvements intended to make the roadway safer and easier to navigate,” Lane said.
FDOT’s speed data found that drivers were traveling about 10 to 15 mph over the posted limit, particularly around the curves at Osceola and Brewer Avenues. Crash analyses showed that distracted driving played a role in about 40 percent of crashes along the corridor.
“With nearly 750 documented crashes occurring along this segment of S.R. 426 since 2018, multiple features included in this project were designed specifically to address these safety concerns,” Lane said.
Rollins students who park at Truist Garage cross Fairbanks daily. Miranda Tavarez (’29) said that crossing toward All Saints Student Coffee Shoppe has been dangerous during construction, and long waits have led some students to run across the road.
Nina Vinocur (’27) suggested stationing someone at the crossing to direct traffic.
“There could be someone with a stop sign directing traffic, to ensure student safety and maximize efficiency both for drivers and students,” Vinocur said.
FDOT is adding raised intersections at Phelps, Shepherd, and Cortland avenues, and the Chase and Ollie avenues intersection, along with speed tables at several spots. Lane said these features are “intended to provide motorists with more prominent visual and physical cues to slow down, particularly as they approach areas with higher pedestrian activity.”
The curves near Osceola and Brewer avenues will get dynamic curve warning systems which use flashing or illuminated features, along with protective barrier walls and enhanced signs and markings. Lane said the changes are “intended to give drivers more prominent warnings to reduce their speed before entering and while navigating the curves.”
Three new raised midblock crossings are being built near Henkel Circle, Trismen Park, and Fletcher Place. Each will have a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB), an overhead signal that, Lane said, “remain[s] dark until activated by a pedestrian wishing to cross the road.” FDOT is also improving sidewalks, pavement markings, and signs along the corridor to give clearer guidance to drivers and pedestrians alike.
The curves near Osceola and Brewer Avenues, where speeding is most common, are getting extra attention. Lane said the changes are “intended to give drivers more prominent warnings to reduce their speed before entering and while navigating the curves.” These include dynamic curve warning systems, which use flashing or illuminated features that are harder to miss than standard signs, as well as protective barrier walls and enhanced signs and markings.
Construction includes signal and concrete work at the three midblock crossings and a new raised crosswalk at South Interlachen Avenue. The contractor has been intermittently closing lanes from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights.
“We know construction can be disruptive, particularly in an area as active as the Rollins and Winter Park community, but these improvements are intended to provide lasting safety benefits once the work is complete.”
– Cindi Lane, FDOT District Five
Lane said FDOT has worked with local partners from the start to limit the impact on the community, keeping closures mostly to nighttime hours and coordinating construction around certain Rollins operations. “FDOT will continue to work with the community to deliver a high-quality project that better serves the safety and accessibility needs of motorists and pedestrians along the corridor,” she said.
As for when the orange cones will finally disappear, Lane said, “At this time, we anticipate this project to be completed in fall 2027.” Until then, students can find a handout with a project map, a video from FDOT’s July open house, and other updates at cflroads.com/451282-2.
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