Construction on a new and improved Interstate 4 through portions of Orange and Seminole counties is well underway with construction activities most evident in several areas, including State Road 408, Maitland Boulevard and Kirkman Road.

Motorists can expect nightly construction in all three of these areas. In some instances daily closures are necessary for bridge work. All lane, ramp and road closures are included in the I-4 Ultimate weekly construction alerts. Recent and upcoming detours in these areas include:

• Tampa Avenue under S.R. 408 is closed daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until Aug. 28. Detour Map
• South Westmoreland Drive is closed under S.R. 408 until July 31 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Detour Map

• Pembrook Drive is permanently closing at North Keller Road on Aug. 31. More Info

• Grand National Drive from Fun Spot Way to West Oak Ridge Road closed earlier this month. The closure will continue until summer 2017. More Info and Detour Map

The next public meeting to give residents the opportunity to learn more about the I-4 Ultimate project is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Orlando Science Center.

The Orlando Science Center is located at 777 E. Princeton St. Parking is complimentary at the Science Center parking garage. From level 2 of the parking garage, walk across the sky bridge to enter the facility. Staff will be available in the lobby to direct guests to the meeting.

Team members from the I-4 Ultimate project team, including engineers, designers and project managers, will be available to answer questions about the 21-mile improvement project. The public information meeting is an informal open house. Plans will be available for review and an informative video will be shown.

“I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to see the changes planned in their communities and understand how construction may impact their daily commute on I-4,” said Loreen Bobo, P.E., I-4 Ultimate Construction Program Manager.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Jennifer Smith, FDOT Title VI Coordinator by phone at 386-943-5367, or via email at jennifer.smith2@dot.state.fl.us. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

For more information about the public meeting, contact David Parks, I-4 Ultimate Public Information Officer, at 844-ULT-INFO (844-858-4636) or DavidParks@I4Ultimate.com.

A new Interstate 4 overpass connecting Grand National Drive to Caravan Court will serve the growing International Drive business community and nearby attractions.

“It is going to provide a relief road to the Kirkman Road area,” said Luann Brooks, Executive Director of the International Drive Business Improvement District. “For instance, we operate a trolley service that currently uses Kirkman Road. When completed in two years, we are going to use the Grand National flyover as a lead line for one of our trolleys.”

At the beginning of July, Grand National Drive was closed from Fun Spot Way to West Oak Ridge Road. The closure will continue until summer 2017 when the new I-4 overpass is completed.

The completed overpass will feature Express Lane direct access in the eastbound direction from Grand National Drive and the westbound direction to Grand National Drive. Additional ramps will be constructed in anticipation of the future Express Lane extension west on I-4.

In addition to providing shoppers and thrill-seekers easier access to International Drive’s attractions and outlet malls, the new Grand National Drive overpass will help alleviate congestion on nearby interchanges at Kirkman Road and Universal Boulevard.

“In the long run we think it will be something advantageous for the entire area,” Brooks said.

Until the opening of the new overpass, a detour has been established around the half-mile closure of Grand National Drive. The detour for the closed section of Grand National Drive is:

• Traveling north on Grand National Drive, begin detour by turning right on Fun Spot Way. Turn left on Adrianna Drive to proceed to end of detour at West Oak Ridge Road.
• Traveling west on West Oak Ridge Road, begin detour by turning left on Adrianna Drive. Turn right on Fun Spot Way to proceed to end of detour at Grand National Drive.

Drivers must remember to move over or slow down when approaching emergency and service vehicles that are parked to the side with lights flashing.

Drivers must move over one lane when approaching those situations to create a safe buffer between traffic and emergency and service workers. If it’s impossible to change lanes safely, then drivers must slow down to 20 mph below the posted highway speed.

As construction activity increases on the I-4 Ultimate project and traffic patterns begin to shift, drivers need to stay alert, keep emotions in check and be aware of the Move Over law, said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes.

“It’s all about safety,” said Montes, who cautions that violations can add three points to your driver’s license and deduct dollars from your wallet (the amount varies by county).

The Move Over law protects emergency responders and service personnel, as well as those being assisted. It covers law enforcement, firefighters, ambulance workers, Road Rangers, tow trucks, garbage trucks and other service vehicles that are parked to the side with lights flashing.

On two-lane roads, drivers must slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed as well. If the speed limit is already 20 mph or below, then the driver must slow to 5 mph.

Montes urges motorists to leave earlier than usual during the I-4 Ultimate project to avoid feeling rushed and “driving with their emotions.” Caution and courtesy should be on their minds as well. “We need to bring that word, ‘courteousness,’ back into our vocabulary,” Montes said.