According to sources from the project team, the I-4 Express is to actually start opening by Friday, February 25th at 11:59pm – just before the official opening that was announced for Feb. 26th. The reason: the project team is being penalized financially for each day that the project is not open, so they will be making sure it officially opens on Feb. 25th on the record.
Crews will begin opening access points of I-4 Express overnight according to sources on the project, or at the latest by 11:59pm. Because they will have to open access points along the entire I-4 project, all eastbound and westbound lanes of I-4 Express are anticipated to be open to traffic by 10am on Saturday, Feb. 26th.
Vehicles with two axles are allowed in I-4 Express. Vehicles with three or more axles are not allowed unless they are designated emergency vehicles. Examples of vehicles with three or more axles may include trucks, large recreational vehicles or RVs, and vehicles pulling trailers.
Some temporary congestion is expected as the new travel choice opens, and motorists adjust to new traffic patterns. Please remember to drive safely and be patient. Motorists can use the interactive map before getting behind the wheel to see where to enter and exit I-4 Express based on their destination.
I-4 Express, which extends from just west of Kirkman Road (S.R. 435) in Orange County to just east of S.R. 434 in Seminole County, is separated from the general use lanes by a concrete barrier wall with limited access points to support longer trips.
During emergencies, whether in the general use lanes or I-4 Express, use the shoulders and wait for first responders. Road Rangers, who can be reached by dialing *347 (*FHP), will also be available to assist first responders as well as make minor mechanical repairs. Before heading out, drivers can visit FL511.com or use the Florida 511 Mobile App for important I-4 traffic information and incident alerts. Once on the road, have a passenger check to avoid using a phone while behind the wheel.
Central Florida motorists have waited for a long time to have a new transportation option that should make traffic flow more smoothly and make trips more reliable on Interstate 4. With infrastructure construction of the I-4 Ultimate project complete, the Florida Department of Transportation anticipates opening the managed lanes, known locally as I-4 Express, to motorists on Saturday, February 26th even though internal reports say it will officially open today, Feb. 25th by 11:59pm.
I-4 Express will be free for the first five days.
