The Kirkman Road Extension from Universal Boulevard to Carrier Drive (1.7 miles) will provide another north-south corridor connecting to an area roadway network that will serve the region’s mobility needs. The project is defined by two segments – the North Segment and the South Segment. The governmental agencies involved include FDOT District 5 and Orange County, Florida. This is a Public/Private Partnership with Universal Orlando participating in financing as the private partner. Construction on the Kirkman Road Extension began in 2020 and is expected to be completed in 2025.

Since 2018, American Environmental Consulting has prepared multiple Phase I Site Assessments (ESAs) and Contamination Screening Evaluation Reports (CSERs) to support the Preliminary Design Study (PDS) for the Southern Segment Improvements. The Southern Segment is from Kirkman Road’s current terminus at Sand Lake Road to the proposed terminus at Universal Boulevard. AEC’s scope of services was defined by three distinct areas: the Mid-Phase, the North Segment and Pond 4.

Mid-Phase Segment Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

The property is located in unincorporated Orange County, Florida and is located in an area that was formerly a portion of the Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control (LMMFC) Sand Lake plant. It encompasses a +/- one (1) mile corridor from Sand Lake Road (SR 482) to Universal Boulevard. Because this segment is within LMMFC’s historical footprint, and due to national security, onsite operations at the LMMFC plant are confidential. AEC’s Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) involved extensive research, site reconnaissance, and coordination with numerous regulatory agencies. For example, AEC’s team had to observe national security protocol as directed by the Department of Defense.

North Segment CSER

In this segment, AEC prepared a Contamination Screening Evaluation Report (CSER) to support the PDS. The study area encompasses Sand Lake Road from Universal Boulevard to just east of Greenbriar Parkway and Kirkman Road from Sand Lake Road north to Carrier Drive. The CSER is critical to evaluating the project as it is associated with the acquisition of the project Right-of-Way (ROW).

Pond 4 CSER

AEC prepared a CSER for the purpose of relocating an existing pond (Pond 4). Located in the potential ROW, relocating Pond 4 will maximize efficiencies by providing savings in materials and construction costs. This CSER did result in a recommendation for additional studies prior to acquisition.

The Kirkman Road Expansion is expected to have significant economic impact on the region as Universal Orlando constructs its new theme park, EPIC Universe. Located on 758 acres adjacent to Kirkman Road, EPIC is expected to open in the Summer of 2025. The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is also expected to benefit from the $300+ million Kirkman Road project as the OCCC moves ahead with a $600M expansion plan.