New Disney road!!!

[GrimGhost]

Screamscape reports:

Resort News - (9/15/05) The Orlando Sentinel reports that Walt Disney World is building a new entrance road on the west side of their property that will connect to a new toll road under construction and lead right to the Florida turnpike to the north, syphoning all of the tourist traffic right into WDW and away from the I-4 tourist corridor. Scheduled to open sometime in 2006, the new four lane road is called Western Way and I actually noticed it when I visited Animal Kingdom last week but had no idea what it was. It connects right to West Buena Vista Road on the right just past the Coronado Springs resort when your on your way to Animal Kingdom from the Studios.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-...-opin-letters-headlines&track=mostemailedlink

 

[Luv2Roam]

Yes, we were exploring that area by accident last weekend.

 

[GrimGhost]

Yes, we were exploring that area by accident last weekend.

How is it coming along?

 

[Laurajean1014]

Cool!

 

[Belle1962]

Directionally challenged here-----

if I am coming down the turnpike (coming South down the turnpike) from I75/Wildwood--will this save me time?

Siily question anything that lets you avoid I4 saves time----

but you can you tell me specific information?

 

[peter11435]

Directionally challenged here-----

if I am coming down the turnpike (coming South down the turnpike) from I75/Wildwood--will this save me time?

Siily question anything that lets you avoid I4 saves time----

but you can you tell me specific information?

Yes this will save time. You will now want to pick up toll road 429 and take it to the interchange with Disney's new road. This will save you a considerable amount of time, however it will cost you a little bit in tolls.

This map does not show Disney's new road, but it does show the new toll road 429. You will want to get off where it says 'Reedy Creek Improvement District Road". The blue area represents WDW.

Just to click the image to see a larger version.

 

[GrimGhost]

Thanks for the map Peter.I was trying to picture more specifically where it was going to be.

 

[peter11435]

Thanks for the map Peter.I was trying to picture more specifically where it was going to be.

In that case I will give you a little more info.

As with the other map, just click the images to enlarge.

This map shows the route the Disney's new road (Western Way) will take between Animal Kingdom and Coronado Springs. Not shows in this map is where the road travels between the WDW water treatment plant, and the nursery/tree farm.



This graphic shows the site plan for the intersection on Disney property between toll road 429 and Disney's new road. Not shown is where 429 enters Disney property and travels south between the Rapid Infiltration Basins. It then travels south of this intersection and then west of AKL until it meets up with 192.



This photo shows the construction where Disney's new road meets up with the existing Buena Vista Drive between Coronado Springs and Blizzard Beach.




Here is a copy of the press release for the construction company that is constructing Disney's new road.

Granite Construction Awarded $23.4 Million Roadway And Bridge Project In Florida


Watsonville, California (January 6, 2004) Granite Construction Incorporated (NYSE:GVA) announced today that Granite Construction Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary, has been awarded a $23.4 million contract by the Reedy Creek Improvement District for construction of new roadway and four bridges in Orange County, Florida on the Disney World property.

The scope of the project will include construction of approximately 2.5 miles of four-lane roadway, four bridges and 10 ponds. The new roadway will connect Buena Vista Drive in Disney World with SR-429 (Western Beltway) soon to be constructed to the west. Two single-span bridges will be built over an existing canal at the west end of the project. Additional twin bridges spanning approximately 1,800 linear feet each will be built over Reedy Creek, using the "top-down" construction technique commonly used in environmentally sensitive areas. Work will include all associated paving, pavement markings, drainage systems, lighting, and signage.

The project will begin in January 2004 and is scheduled for completion in early 2006.

Granite is one of the nation's largest diversified heavy civil contractors and construction materials producer. Granite Construction Company serves public and private sector clients through its offices nationwide. For more information about the company, please visit their website at www.graniteconstruction.com.

And last but not least here is a photo of the bridge construction along Disney's new road. This photo was taken deep within a large undeveloped area of WDW.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Yep, that looks like what we saw. Just a black top paved road, unfinished on each end.
There were several palm trees in the meridian area. I was surprised to see the landscaping so far along when the road was incomplete.
Looks like an additional security shack is in the process on the opposite side of the already established one behind AK.