Doreen Overstreet, Public Information Officer
Phone: (407) 836-5301
Email: Doreen.Overstreet@ocfl.net

Orange County Employee Selected to Receive National Roadway Safety Award

Orange County, FL – Christine Lofye, Orange County Public Works project manager in the Traffic Engineering Division, recently received a National Roadway Safety Award by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and the Roadway Safety Foundation. Awarded in the program planning, development and evaluation category, the Texas-Americana Road Safety Small Area Study identified roadway safety deficiencies in an effort to improve the safety of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians as well as transit users, in the vicinity of Texas Avenue and Americana Boulevard in unincorporated Orange County.

“Orange County is proud of our hardworking team members who’ve been honored with this prestigious award,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “As a community, we place a high priority on pedestrian safety initiatives, and on creating a culture in which everyone can share the road safely. The Texas-Americana Road Study, conducted by Orange County Public Works, provides data and insight that will be integral to those efforts.”

The study area for the Texas-Americana Road Safety Small Area Study was identified in response to a cluster of intersections with high-crash frequencies and a significant number of pedestrian crashes within a small area. By bringing the information to light, the community was engaged in conversation and solutions, and improvements were developed that will advance overall road safety.

The study was conducted with the help of an 11-person team of County employees, including Roberto Ng, senior engineer in the Highway Construction Division, and Darryl Johnson, assistant project manager in the Traffic Engineering Division – both were highly involved and vital to the project.

Lofye has more than 20 years of expertise. A University of Central Florida graduate with a degree in civil engineering, she began her career as a traffic engineer/transportation planner. She is now a project manager for area-wide road safety audits and capacity studies.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ Walk-Ride-Thrive! Pedestrian Safety Initiative, which launched in fall 2015, is designed to establish and maintain a coordinated, comprehensive and consistent response to Orange County’s pedestrian and bicycle safety issues. In June 2015, Mayor Jacobs announced the $300 million initiative, INVEST in Our Home for Life, which will provide $15 million for pedestrian safety improvements at intersections and other selected locations that will enhance various features such as sidewalks, crosswalks, signals, turn lanes, updated signage and other necessary improvements. The pedestrian safety component of the INVEST program will address selected intersections and corridor improvements. Proposed projects will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners.

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

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