Accelerated congestion relief on Central Florida I-4 project segments will mean travelers will actually start feeling congestion relief by the end of 2025 rather than at the end of planned program completion in 2030.
The earlier timeline is a result of innovation and additional acceleration of regional Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative projects. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced accelerated congestion relief will be felt by Floridians and tourists along the Interstate 4 (I-4) corridor by the end of 2025.
The series of I-4 projects that comprise the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, locally referred to as the Moving I-4 Forward Program, will begin earlier than originally scheduled with the construction of auxiliary lanes and the advanced construction of two project segments along I-4 at ChampionsGate and World Drive in Central Florida just outside of Orlando.
The new lanes will be located on the inside of the existing mainlines to provide motorists with congestion relief.
After those lanes are open, additional work in the Accelerated Start phase will add the pavement to expand I-4 to the full width for 10 total lanes at the two interchanges. By expanding these sections earlier in the project timeline, better allows FDOT to prepare for the adjoining I-4 projects and build them simultaneously.
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 project includes added capacity with two new lanes in each direction. The final road configuration will be three general-use lanes and two express lanes in each direction. The project will maintain existing access to State Road (S.R.) 417 from the general-use lanes on Interstate 4 (I-4). Additionally, new direct connectors, or ramps, will connect the S.R. 417 toll to the Interstate-4 (I-4) express lanes. Interchange upgrades will also include improving the existing infrastructure for safer driving conditions as well as replacing toll plazas on S.R. 417 to increase traffic flow.
Project 2 will include improvements to Interstate 4 (I-4) from east of County Road (C.R.) 532 to west of World Drive in Osceola County as well as improvements to the State Road (S.R.) 429 interchange, which currently ends at I-4. To create safer connections, new direct connectors, or ramps, will be added at the interchange between I-4 and S.R. 429. The final roadway configuration will include four general-use lanes and two express lanes in each direction. New direct connectors, or ramps, will be built to connect the express lanes on I-4 to S.R. 429 and from the I-4 general-use lanes to the S.R. 429 toll. Old Lake Wilson Road will also 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. A second bridge will be built to accommodate the new infrastructure. Other improvements to S.R. 429 from I-4 to Sinclair Road will also be made.
Project 1 and Project 2 are expected to be under construction at the same time.
“It is great news that FDOT has been able to further accelerate this segment of I-4’s congestion relief. Drivers do not want to sit in traffic, they want to be at home with their families. These auxiliary lanes are part of the solution in delivering a better quality of life for our residents and visitors,” said FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, P.E. “FDOT is laser-focused on getting the job done and ensuring our roads keep pace with Florida’s growth as people continue to move here to enjoy Florida’s freedom and our strong economy.”
By starting these projects with construction efforts at ChampionsGate and World Drive, FDOT will expedite the completion of core projects along the I-4 corridor. This plan will facilitate less disruptive traffic shifts during all the combined construction work in the region and ensure projects can be constructed independently and faster breaking away from traditional and sequential construction scheduling.
This enhancement is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce travel times for commuters, tourists, and freight carriers in the region, and will also assist with traffic movements during the construction of the larger, subsequent I-4 project segments.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership and forward-thinking approach, we were empowered to look at even more ways to expedite these critical infrastructure improvements,” said FDOT Assistant Secretary Will Watts. “Moving Florida Forward was already poised to benefit Floridians, and with the re-sequencing of the delivery for these auxiliary lanes, drivers will start to see relief by the end of 2025 at one of most congested areas in the state.”
For more information, visit the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative online.
