Oviedo to close East Franklin Street for two-week improvements

The City of Oviedo announced a temporary closure of East Franklin Street for on-street improvements, affecting the stretch from the roundabout to the intersection with State Road 434. Work will begin Tuesday, Jan. 20 and continue through Wednesday, Feb. 4, with maintenance of traffic measures in place to manage vehicles around the work zone.

Primary traffic that would normally use East Franklin Street will be detoured south on Geneva Drive to County Road 419 and then routed to the State Road 434 intersection. Motorists are asked to drive cautiously and to plan alternate routes while crews complete the improvements. The city said maintenance of traffic will be in place to guide drivers through the temporary pattern.

Local businesses and park access were addressed in the city notice. Ace Hardware on East Franklin Street will retain a single-lane business entrance during the closure so customers and deliveries can still reach the store. Solary Park will remain accessible via its parking lot adjacent to Division Street; the parking lot entrance off Division Street will remain open for visitors.

The planned closure will affect commuting patterns for drivers traveling through central Oviedo, delivery services and school transport routes that use East Franklin Street. Short detours through Geneva Drive and County Road 419 may add travel time during peak hours, and drivers should expect slower speeds and possible congestion near the detour junctions. For residents who rely on nearby businesses or the park for errands and recreation, the preserved access points aim to limit disruption while work proceeds.

On-street improvements of this kind are intended to improve safety and the durability of local roadways, but they require short-term trade-offs in traffic flow. For businesses along East Franklin Street, the single-lane access will allow customers to continue patronizing stores while crews work, though parking and approach routes may differ from usual patterns.

This closure will test local route knowledge and patience during the two-week project window. Plan trips with a little extra time, follow posted detour signage, and use Division Street or County Road 419 where appropriate to avoid the work zone. The community can expect improved roadway conditions after the project is complete, and officials will monitor traffic to minimize impacts as much as possible during the work period.