The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) approved the development of an expressway between the counties on Thursday, according to NBC affiliate WESH. The governing board of CFX overwhelmingly approved the first phase of the toll road’s development, known as State Road 516. Brian Hutchings, the authority’s Manager of Community Engagement, told the outlet that the idea sprang from data showing that only a few highways connected the counties, which are among the fastest-expanding in the state.
“They’re two of the fastest-growing regions in the entire state of Florida,” Hutchings said, referring to Lake and Orange counties. The first phase of the roadway is expected to cost about $218 million. Its total completion price sits at around $534 million, something that Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks noted as well worth it considering it could relieve traffic congestion and provide revolutionary services to electric vehicle drivers. “This will be an immense relief for the region,” Parks told WESH. “Quite frankly, it’ll be a good economic driver as well. There’s an interchange that’s planned that will promote the right kind of jobs and create a job centre for us in Lake County.”
“We will have the roadway which will be equipped with these coils that can charge electric vehicles as they travel over them.”
He explained that State Road 516 will seemingly be the first roadway in the world that charges EVs as they drive on it through coils under the pavement. “We know that roads are not pretty,” Parks said. “But what’s unique about this is this will be one of the most sustainable, one of the most conservation-minded roads in the world.” “And I don’t think that’s an exaggeration,” he added. “We will have the roadway which will be equipped with these coils that can charge electric vehicles as they travel over them.” “So, think about with your smartphone you put on a charging pad. It’s very similar technology to that, only on a grander scale.”
The cutting-edge technology was created in collaboration with the businesses ASPIRE and ENRX. Although the charging will initially be limited to a fleet of test vehicles, the ultimate goal is to charge any EV that drives on State Road 516. “It’s going to be a tremendous evolution when you have vehicles and trucks that are electrified, that can travel over roads and never have to plug in,” Hutchings said to WESH. “It’s exciting times.” Parks stated that the project might “be a leadership model for the rest of the world.”
The self-charging road will also apparently be erected in a greenspace, complete with a wildlife underpass and trails for bikers, walkers, and runners. Its construction is set to begin in the spring of 2025, with completion by the end of 2027. For more on EVs, see The Sun’s coverage of data from a car testing firm that reveals electric vehicles cost at least 50% less than diesel vehicles. The piece also explains why a few popular EV designs would not qualify for a $7,500 tax credit in the coming weeks, according to the US Sun.