Work began August 3, 2015 on the Central Florida Expressway Authority's Wekiva Parkway Section 1B (429-203) from north of Ponkan Road to a planned interchange at Kelly Park Road in Apopka. Crews this week relocated more than 29 gopher tortoises after excavating 66 burrows for the protected species. Gopher tortoises are considered a keystone species because dozens of other species also use the burrows as shelter.
Section 1B crews also are locating utilities and surveying the project corridor. Next they will begin clearing the right of way of vegetation and structures and installing silt fence for erosion control.
