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FDOT Speeds Construction Plans to Counter Traffic Congestion On I-4 Via Bold New Initiative

FDOT's "Moving I-4 Forward" program aims to counter traffic congestion on I-4 near Walt Disney World & Champions Gate. Initiatives include adding lanes, ramps, interchanges, and widening shoulders for safety. Projects are to be completed ahead of schedule starting with an Accelerated Start Project by the end of 2025.

Mon January 20, 2025 - Southeast Edition
FDOT & WESH-TV


The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to ease congestion on the interstate, with work slated to begin at some point soon on a series of projects.
Photo courtesy of FDOT
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to ease congestion on the interstate, with work slated to begin at some point soon on a series of projects.

Some relief could soon come for drivers constantly dealing with traffic on Interstate 4 near Walt Disney World and Champions Gate southwest of Orlando.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to ease congestion on the interstate, with work slated to begin at some point soon on a series of projects.

The I-4 corridor in Osceola County and northern Polk County is one of the busiest in the country. Heavy traffic is a frequent problem with multiple tourist attractions in the area.

In an effort to counter the congestion, FDOT's "Moving I-4 Forward" program will focus on enhancing I-4 west of U.S. Highway 27 in Polk County to east of Florida Highway 536 in Orange County. The department also is looking to build a new Poinciana Connector and cover 14 mi. of I-4 overall.

FDOT also plans to widen the intestate from six lanes to as many as 12 in some areas. As part of the effort, WESH-TV in Orlando reported that a general-use lane and two express lanes will be added in both directions. Crews also will rebuild ramps and interchanges, as well as resurface the road while widening shoulders for greater safety.

The state agency wants to give drivers some congestion relief now, so the program's first priority is an "Accelerated Start Project." As a result, construction on the project will begin in the near future, although FDOT has not yet provided a specific start date.

In a statement sent to WESH-TV, a spokesperson of FDOT said, in part, "Normally, construction of this magnitude would take more than a decade to complete; however, through the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, championed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the Department is committed to completing this series of projects more than a decade ahead of schedule."

First Phase of I-4 Work Could Be Open Late in 2025

As part of the Accelerated Start Project initiative, new lanes will be added in each direction of I-4 from U.S. 27 and connect to World Drive and Fla. 417. Planners call for the lanes to cover 7.5 mi. and be located on the inside of the existing I-4 mainline. The work on this segment of the project is slated to be open by the end of 2025.

After those lanes are open, additional work in the Accelerated Start phase will add the pavement to expand I-4 to the full width of 10 total lanes at the freeway's interchanges with ChampionsGate

Boulevard and World Drive, according to FDOT. Expanding these sections earlier in the project timeline, better allows FDOT to prepare for the adjoining I-4 projects and build them simultaneously.

Through the "Modified Phased Design-Build" contracting process, the Accelerated Start project will be completed quickly, further expediting the delivery of the FDOT program and allowing other projects within it to be constructed. The innovative method will allow for multiple teams to collaborate on the design and expedite construction to bring congestion relief sooner than traditional build methods, the agency explained.

FDOT noted that Project 1 in the Moving I-4 Forward Program focuses on roadway safety and mobility as it is part of the regional network of emergency evacuation routes. The work will include adding capacity with two new lanes in each direction, with the final road configuration made up of three general-use lanes and two express lanes.

During the process, the transportation agency will maintain existing access to Fla. 417 from the general-use lanes on I-4. Additionally, new ramps will connect the Fla. 417 toll to the I-4 express lanes, while interchange upgrades will include improving the existing infrastructure for safer driving conditions. Toll plazas on Fla. 417 also are due to be replaced to increase traffic flow.

Moving I-4 Forward Has Four Additional Projects

At the same time that Project 1 is under construction, crews are also expected to build Moving I-4 Forward's Project 2, designed to make improvements to I-4 from east of Osceola Polk Line Road/County Road 532 to west of World Drive in Osceola County.

In addition, upgrades are set to take place at the nearby Fla. 429 interchange, which currently ends at I-4. To create safer connections, new ramps will be installed at the interchange between I-4 and Fla. 429. The final roadway configuration will include four general-use lanes and two express lanes in each direction. The new ramps will connect the express lanes on I-4 to Fla. 429 and from the I-4 general-use lanes to the Fla. 429 toll, according to FDOT.

Old Lake Wilson Road also will be widened from Sinclair Road to Assembly Court and over I-4 from two to four lanes with sidewalks and bicycle lanes on both sides. Additionally, a second bridge will be built to accommodate the new infrastructure, while other improvements to Fla. 429 from I-4 to Sinclair Road also are in the works.

Third Project to Reinforce Interchange Known for Its Truck Traffic

A final roadway configuration of four general-use lanes and two express lanes in each direction will be installed along I-4 from west of U.S. 27 to east of Ronald Reagan Parkway as part of Moving I-4 Forward's third construction effort.

This is the initiative's westernmost project and will tie into the existing I-4 highway configuration that heads southwest toward Tampa. It will add ramps from the I-4 express lanes to U.S. 27 and from there to the I-4 express lanes. The current ramps also will be redesigned for improved mobility.

FDOT noted that the I-4/U.S. 27 interchange has a lot of truck traffic, so the plan includes using concrete pavement to accommodate heavier loads.

In collaboration with Polk County, a new overpass will be built at Grandview Parkway to connect the roadway on either side of I-4.

Construction on Project 3 also will be built simultaneously with Project 4 on the eastern end of the interstate.

New Express Lanes Along I-4 Are Part of Fourth Project

Spanning Osceola and Orange counties, Project 4 is the easternmost project in the FDOT-led construction program and will connect to the existing I-4 work in Orange County headed toward Orlando — an effort that is adding one express lane in each direction.

Project 4 will continue I-4's single express lane while also adding a second one in each direction. Additionally, plans call for another new express lane to be built from southbound Fla. 536 headed west on I-4. On the eastbound side, one of the two express lanes will exit the interstate highway toward Fla. 536 and allow motorists to head either north or south at a new traffic signal to increase access to the nearby theme parks.

At the Osceola Parkway interchange, existing I-4 bridges over Bonnet Creek will be revamped; however, FDOT noted that the parkway bridges over the freeway will be rebuilt due to their age.

Final Segment of Work to Construct Poinciana Connector

Florida transportation officials also are finishing plans to construct the Poinciana Connector, a new roadway as part of Moving I-4 Forward's Project 5 that will extend and connect to the interstate.

The Central Florida Expressway Authority is planning an extension of the connector road from where the limited access facility ends near U.S. 17 to Osceola Polk Line Road/County Road 532. The I-4 project will continue the connector further south to where it will intersect with Fla. 429. All the interchange construction for the connection is due to occur during this part of the program.

The location of the roadway will run through greenfield space, FDOT noted, meaning the land is undeveloped. It also is located in an environmentally sensitive area, as well as a floodplain — a fact that led planners to design the road so that it is elevated over the land.

The final configuration of the Poinciana Connector includes three lanes in each direction with the ability to expand to four lanes, if needed, in the future. Ramps connecting to Osceola Polk Line Road/County Road 532 also will be included.

FDOT explained that the design is still under way on the 2.6-mi. road that will extend into Osceola and Polk counties.




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