As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time to pause for a moment to look back over what the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) accomplished in the past year. Among the highlights were the celebration of the opening of a new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) early in the year, and a few months later, groundbreaking on another project to improve safety and mobility with the installation of another new DDI.
ChampionsGate Boulevard (County Road (C.R.) 532): February saw the completion and opening of the new DDI at ChampionsGate Boulevard and Interstate 4 (I-4). The innovative project was designed to improve safety and mobility in the ChampionsGate area. In addition to the new DDI, improvements include widening the exit and entrance ramps to I-4 to increase capacity, eliminating the left turn from southbound Goodman Road to C.R. 532, adding a wrong way vehicle detection system (WWVDS), and repaving throughout the area.
I-4 in Osceola County: Work is nearly completed on the project to add capacity to I-4 and State Road (S.R.) 429 in Osceola County. The new eastbound I-4 auxiliary lane between the ramps of S.R. 429 and C.R. 532 opened in May, and the westbound auxiliary lane in the same area opened in July. In addition, a new auxiliary lane on S.R. 429 between I-4 and Sinclair Road also opened in the summer.
Daryl Carter Parkway: The new partial interchange at I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway started to rise out of the ground this year. Underground drainage work continued throughout the project, and over the summer, crews drove pile and built new bridge piers. They also started building the ramps between I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway and installing mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls to support those ramps. The project also includes construction of a single, buffer-separated, express lane from west of Daryl Carter Parkway to west of Central Florida Parkway. This express lane will be constructed in three separate projects with the finished lane extending from west of Sand Lake Road (S.R. 482) to west of S.R. 536.
Sand Lake Road: FDOT broke ground on the Sand Lake Road and I-4 interchange project which will transform the interchange into a DDI by 2027. Crews began work with utility relocations in anticipation of the construction of new ramps and bridges. In November, pile driving began, along with sidewalk and median work to prepare for the changeover to the initial DDI configuration next year. This project also includes reconstructing the I‑4 general use lanes from west of Sand Lake Road to the end of the I‑4 Ultimate project. Two westbound, barrier-separated, express lanes are being built from the existing express lanes near Kirkman Road to west of Sand Lake Road. These will transition to a single, buffer-separated express lane in the westbound direction from west of Sand Lake Road and tie in just west of Central Florida Parkway, connecting to the express lane section being constructed as part of the Daryl Carter Parkway project.
Seminole County: Two projects also began construction along I-4 in Seminole County in late 2023. Work is ongoing at the C.R. 46A (H.E. Thomas Jr. Parkway) and Rinehart Road intersection just east of the I-4 interchange at C.R. 46A. This project is expected to increase traffic efficiency at the intersection while reducing congestion onto the interchange. The enhancements will increase capacity by modifying select existing turn lanes and adding new turn lanes. A third lane will also be added to southbound Rinehart Road between C.R. 46A and Timacuan Boulevard.
The second Seminole County project is taking place at the I-4 and U.S. 17-92 interchange. This project is expected to increase safety at the interchange by improving sight distance for motorists, upgrading sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists, and reducing the speed limit from 50 mph to 35 mph. The improvements will include adding a pedestrian-activated crossing signal at the end of the eastbound I‑4 exit ramp.
Additionally, an auxiliary lane will be added on eastbound U.S. 17-92 between the westbound I‑4 exit ramp and Monroe Road. A second right turn lane will be added to U.S. 17-92 when driving east to continue south on U.S. 17-92/Monroe Road. The dual right-turn-only lanes will stop at the signalized intersection with Seminole Boulevard, replacing the existing free-flow right turn. A right turn lane will be added from southbound U.S. 17-92/Monroe Road to the eastbound I‑4 entrance ramp, and a left turn lane will be added from westbound Seminole Boulevard to U.S. 17-92/Monroe Road to drive south.
As we celebrate the accomplishments of 2023 and look forward to 2024, FDOT wishes everyone a safe and joyous holiday season. We also remind you to drive safely in work zones to make sure everyone enjoys the festivities with their families and loved ones.
FAQs
In addition to the new DDI, improvements include widening the exit and entrance ramps to I-4 to increase capacity, eliminating the left turn from southbound Goodman Road to C.R. 532, adding a wrong way vehicle detection system (WWVDS), and repaving throughout the area.
What is the i4 expansion in Florida? ›
The I-4 Ultimate project is the reconstruction and widening of 21 miles of I-4 from west of Kirkman Road in Orange County, Florida through downtown Orlando to east of State Road 434 in Seminole County. The project will: Fully reconstruct the existing general purpose lanes. Add four express toll lanes in the median.
How much did the i4 ultimate cost? ›
The total estimated project cost is $2.3 billion in year-of-expenditure dollars.
Where is the I-4 corridor in Florida? ›
I-4 (FRAME)
Interstate 4 (I-4) Florida's Regional Advanced Mobility Elements (FRAME) is a regional, intercity integrated corridor management (ICM) project running from the Central Business District in Tampa to the southwest side of Orlando at the Florida Turnpike.
When was I-4 built in Florida? ›
How much are tolls on I-4 in Florida? ›
During the introductory period, to travel the entire length of I-4 Express it will cost $3.50 eastbound and $3.00 westbound. This testing phase provides FDOT with data to enable the transition to a fully dynamic toll.
What does I-4 stand for in Florida? ›
Interstate 4 (I-4) is an Interstate Highway located entirely within the US state of Florida, maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
Which i4 has the longest range? ›
Enjoy the luxury of an all-electric Gran Coupe. With a range from 252 to 276 miles in the BMW i4 eDrive35, 283 to 301 miles in the i4 eDrive40, and 279 to 307 miles in the i4 xDrive40, you'll have everything you need to go even farther than imagined.
Is i4 fully electric? ›
As trailblazing as you. The BMW i4 M50 combines all-electric power and efficiency with the detailed design and expert engineering of BMW M – so get ready to experience all-electric performance at its finest. This choice has changed your configuration and may affect total price.
Does the i4 self drive? ›
You must keep your hands on the wheel for safety purposes, but once engaged the system handles driving duties very effectively, including managing twisty roadways and sharp curves, and slowing down when traffic appears in front of the i4.
It's no wonder that I-4 was voted one of the deadliest interstates in the United States with its high volume of traffic congestion. Most of the traffic can be attributed to out-of-state tourists eager to visit Disney World, Universal Studios, and other theme-park attractions, which are all accessible from I-4.
Why is it called I-4? ›
The system is even formally named for him: It's the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. The bottom line: I-4 is funded by federal money as part of the Interstate Highway System, so it's titled as such. I-4 is one of more than a dozen intrastate routes in that system.
Is Tampa or Orlando growing faster? ›
Highest Florida population growth
Between them, Orlando, Tampa and Miami saw a population growth just shy of 150,000. Orlando welcomed nearly 55,000 new residents last year, the fourth highest in the country. Tampa and Miami ranked in fifth and tenth places, respectively.
How far does I-4 go? ›
Where is the gravesite on the I-4 dead zone? ›
The actual grave site is said to be underneath I-4, in one of the eastbound lanes just before the south end of the St. Johns River Bridge. Carlson claims that between 1995 and 1997, there were 44 crashes that injured 65 people on this stretch of I-4.
How many people drive on an I-4 a day? ›
And we always talk about it, much like an annoying neighbor or relative you can't shake from your life or consciousness. Built to handle 80,000 cars and trucks a day, I4 is well beyond obsolete.
What is the Florida I-4 eyesore? ›
The Majesty Building, commonly nicknamed the “I-4 Eyesore,” sits just past Maitland in Uptown Altamonte Springs, visible to thousands of commuters each day. For this marvel of 307 feet, with a promised 200,000 feet of office space, great expectations have pushed the building past the limits of critique.
What is the new interstate in Florida? ›
Enjoy aerial footage of the First Coast Expressway (SR-23) construction progress as of May 2023 in Clay County, Florida. The First Coast Expressway will connect I-10 in the north to I-95 in the south by creating an outer beltway and running through the heart of Clay County, Florida.
How many new houses are being built in Florida? ›
As residents continue to move into Florida, the construction industry is trying to keep up. About 212,000 new single-family housing units were authorized in Florida in 2022, the second most behind Texas, according to an analysis of U.S. Census data by Construction Coverage.
What is the construction outlook for Florida? ›
As Florida's construction industry continues to grapple with recovery from natural disasters, a closer look reveals both promising growth and persistent hurdles. Despite the industry's boom, worker shortages, escalating labor costs, inflation and jobsite safety could impede growth.
