The first week of 2015, seven different billboards were installed along the Interstate 4 (I-4) corridor to inform Central Floridians that I-4 Ultimate construction is starting soon. The billboards contain one of two messages: “I-4 construction starts in February” or “Sign up for alerts at i4Ultimate.com.”

Reaching out to commuters to encourage them to visit the website isn’t the only goal of the billboards. “We know that some people still aren’t aware this project is coming,” says Dave Parks, the I-4 Ultimate public information officer. “Every driver will be impacted by this project, so we need to make sure everyone is informed.”

The billboards are a cost-effective way to increase public awareness about I-4 Ultimate. Since the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) owns the billboards, which are located in FDOT-owned right of way, there is no cost associated with the outreach campaign — with the exception of the production and installation of the vinyl for the billboards.

“The fabrication and installation of all seven billboards cost just over $6,000 and has already proven effective in increasing public awareness,” says Parks. In fact, since the billboards were installed, traffic on i4Ultimate.com has increased from a 2014 average of 221 visits per day to an average of over 1,200 daily visits! And drivers are heeding the message to sign up for route-specific email and text alerts — more than 500 signed up in the week following the billboards installation alone.

The billboards will remain until the land is needed to widen the road, so drivers will continue to have a daily reminder to sign up for alerts.

I-4 Ultimate will create thousands of jobs in Central Florida. This video series explores the wide variety of people and expertise needed to build a better I-4. In this month’s installment, Program Project Manager Jon Walker shares how math and science skills can lead to a career outdoors in the construction field. Jon’s positive outlook and drive to do things better, smarter and faster will help transform I-4 into a signature corridor that becomes a preferred route for Central Floridians.

It’s exciting times at the I-4 Ultimate project: Notice to Proceed (NTP) 2 and groundbreaking are just days away, and the I-4 Ultimate team is busy keeping the public informed. The project team organized a public information meeting — the first of these outreach efforts — in Eatonville on January 20 to discuss proposed noise barriers in the vicinity of I-4 and Kennedy Boulevard. The meeting was an opportunity for residents to talk with the team and learn more about the design, type, location, height and length of the proposed noise barriers. Property owners were encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback.

Upcoming events also include the groundbreaking ceremony and pre-construction area meetings. NTP 2 is expected in February 2015, and the project team will hold meetings in each of the four project areas (Attractions, Downtown, Ivanhoe, Altamonte) prior to the start of heavy construction. These meetings will give the public a chance to see the improvements planned in their area and talk to the people building a better I-4. The I-4 Ultimate team is also in the midst of planning a groundbreaking deserving of the largest infrastructure project in Florida history — be on the lookout for more information soon!