Arnold Palmer’s passing at the last month continues to reverberate both in the world golf and out. The latest example of the King’s reach beyond the fairways is a motion that is only awaiting gubernatorial and legislative approval to have a large stretch of highway in Florida named in Palmer’s honor.
The Orlando Sentinel had the details of the cool gesture.
The Central Florida Expressway Authority wants to rename one of the region’s busiest roads after legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, who died Sept. 25 at age 87.
The board voted Thursday that the western part of State Road 408 should be called the Arnold Palmer Expressway. The change is subject to approval by Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature, which convenes again in March.
Drive this road every day, what an honor it will be going forward. https://t.co/CsJxnFAPmi
— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) October 14, 2016
“I understand the naming of roadways is rare, and should only be done after those who have made large impact on our community… [but Palmer] has represented Orlando and Central Florida wonderfully on the world stage,” said board member Jay Madara, chief financial officer of the Orlando-based Golf Channel.
“I think that’s going to be one of the many ways the community remembers his contribution,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, also a member of the board.
Authority officials say the section of S.R. 408 named after Palmer would probably span west of Interstate 4 to near Florida’s Turnpike. About 40,000 to 70,000 drivers take the road on average a day, according to 2015 Florida Department of Transportation data.
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