City of Orlando Making Strides

Locals in Orlando may start noticing some major improvements in walkability. The City of Orlando is hard at work in expanding its trails and route infrastructure to close gaps in connectivity and provide safety for those on foot or bike in Orlando. The two block extension of Gertrude’s Walk in the downtown central business district from Washington to Jefferson opened in May. It provides a safe off-street path from the existing walk. Walkers now have a clear path to LYNX Central Station and SunRail. Gertrude’s Walk will eventually connect to the north with the Orlando Urban Trail and to the south with the Downtown South Main Street District.

To safely connect Gertrude’s Walk north to the Orlando Urban Trail, work continues on the Colonial Pedestrian Bridge, expected to open this fall. The trail crossing on Concord Street will be part of Colonial Pedestrian Bridge – continuing Gertrude’s Walk. The bridge will enable pedestrians to move safely and unimpeded over busy SR50 and the railroad tracks near I-4.

And to extend to the south, Orlando has selected a consultant to design the Downtown Connector Trail from Lake Underhill to the Central Business District via Anderson Street. When built, the trail would add an additional two miles to the network with the largest gap left in the Bicycle Beltway.

The City of Orlando is also working together with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and MetroPlan Orlando to close the remaining gaps in the Orlando Urban Trail network by adding 2.5 miles total of trails to the network – one section just north of W. Colonial Dr. on Orange Avenues and another in the South of Downtown Orlando (SODO) Main Street area along Division Avenue.  The Orlando Urban Trail Gap and Extension Grant will pay for the total project cost.

A big thank you to the City of Orlando for all of their hard work!