John Arnold, a Lake County agritourism business owner, is raising concerns over the plan to build a connector road between Lake and Orange counties. The State Road 516 project aims to link U.S. 27 in Lake County with State Road 429 in Orange County. However, Arnold’s main concern is the impact of the construction on wetlands located on his property.
The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) is leading the State Road 516 project, which will provide a crucial link between the two counties. Although the connection near Showcase of Citrus is beneficial, Arnold is worried about the proposed “access road” that CFX plans to construct through his wetlands. He believes that this would be detrimental to both his property and the showcase.
Arnold notes that the tolled expressway linking to U.S. 27 could disrupt potential housing development, prompting CFX to suggest an access road through Showcase of Citrus property. While Arnold acknowledges the importance of State Road 516 for regional infrastructure, he is prepared to legally challenge the access road construction that would impact his wetlands.
Despite ongoing legal discussions between both parties, groundbreaking for State Road 516 has already taken place. The expressway is projected to benefit locals like realtor Adaniel Zoga, who emphasizes the time-saving convenience of the new route between Horizon West and South Clermont. The completion of State Road 516 is scheduled for 2027.
As Arnold continues to fight for environmental conservation in Central Florida, he highlights the delicate balance between infrastructure development and environmental protection in our region.
In summary, while John Arnold raises concerns about protecting wetlands on his property from being harmed by access roads during construction of State Road 516 in Central Florida, it’s important to note that infrastructure projects can bring benefits such as improved transportation links and increased economic opportunities for residents in both counties.
