Orlando Unveils 'President Barack Obama Parkway

President Barack Obama will now live in infamy on Orlando streets as the city unveiled the first portion of a roadway project bearing his namesake.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony that showcased President Barack Obama Parkway, near the Mall at Millenia.

WKMG Orlando reports:

Phase I connects President Barack Obama Parkway north of Conroy Road to Metrowest Boulevard, a mile-and-a-half stretch that includes lighting, sidewalks and on-street bike lanes. Shingle Creek Trail, used by pedestrians and bicyclists, was also extended.

Dyer said 150 jobs were created in Phase I of construction, which cost $10.5 million. The city will hire 150 more workers when Phase II begins, he said.

"One of the things that we have done in the city is some of the capital construction projects that we have the funding for that have been on the books, we moved them forward -- expedited them -- so we could create the jobs when we need them," Dyer said.

According to WKMG's report, upon completion, the parkway will extend from Conroy Road to U.S. Highway 441 in Apopka, a nine-mile stretch.

Ironically, Obama was in Orlando for two separate fundraisers -- one of which was held at prominent attorney John Morgan's house -- the day of the parkway's unveiling.