Florida Department of Transportation (FDoT) division Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) has selected engineering consultancy firm Stantec to design the reconstruction and capacity improvements for Turnpike/State Road 91 in Lake County.

FTE operates a 742km network of limited-access toll highways across the US state.

Construction of the project is valued at $212m.

Stantec’s reconstruction design will increase the travel lanes from four to eight. It will also facilitate future express lane and electronic tolling operations within the ten-mile project area, from the Minneola interchange north to US 27.

The project is part of FTE’s phased plan to widen 37 miles of the Turnpike within Lake and Orange Counties, addressing safety and mobility.

According to Florida state data, an estimated 40,800 motorists use the Turnpike daily at the Leesburg South (US 27) Interchange.

Stantec New York Traffic and Revenue practice senior principal and leader Steven Abendschein said: “Over the last five years, we have seen a steady increase in the implementation of priced managed lanes across the country with demonstrated success in maintaining speed conditions and managing greater traffic volumes.

“There continues to be a tremendous opportunity for this tool in additional markets,  particularly dense urban areas and growing mid-tier cities, to not only address roadway congestion, but also supplement infrastructure financing.”

According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), 11 states currently operate priced managed lanes across a total of 686 centre-lane miles.

Under the project scope, Stantec will design the Turnpike widening, pavement restoration through milling and resurfacing, and implementation of all-electronic tolling (AET) capabilities.

The firm will also lead the design of future dynamically priced express lanes, emergency shoulder utilisation, lighting, and environmental services.