Forward icon

JUNE 2016

WB SR-408 On-ramp at Division Ave. Closing Nightly

Article 1 Image

Motorists should expect nightly closures of the temporary westbound entrance ramp to State Road (S.R.) 408 from Division Avenue beginning Sunday, June 19.

In addition to the ramp closure, Division Avenue from Gore Street to Anderson Street will be closed nightly. The closures will occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. each day, except Friday nights, any time on Saturday or during the day on Sundays. The two closures are scheduled to continue for five weeks.

The alternate westbound State Road 408 entrance ramp is near the intersection of Orange Blossom Trail (U.S. Highway 17-92/441) and Long Street. The detour around the Division Avenue nighttime closure is Parramore Avenue.

The westbound S.R. 408 on-ramp and Division Avenue closures are the next step in reconstructing one of the state’s busiest interchange, Interstate 4 and S.R. 408. On average, more than 200,000 vehicles pass through this interchange. During the nighttime closures, construction crews will begin installing interior barrier walls on S.R. 408 and working on its bridge crossing over Division Avenue.

While these closures are typically scheduled to begin at 10 p.m., on some nights these closures could begin later due to events at the Amway Center, Camping World Stadium or Dr. Phillips Center. Other modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.

For more information about the new I-4 and S.R. 408 interchange, visit i4ultimate.com/future408. Sign up to receive I-4 Ultimate construction alerts by email or text at i4ultimate.com.


Long-term Closure of West Lucerne Circle Begins

Article 2 Image

West Lucerne Circle under State Road 408 (S.R. 408) closed the day after Memorial Day and is scheduled to remain closed until spring 2017.

The long-term closure is part of the larger overhaul to the Interstate 4 and S.R. 408 interchange reconstruction. During the closure of West Lucerne Circle, crews are relocating utilities, working on the S.R. 408 bridges over the roadway, and building new bridge foundations.

The recommended detour around this closure is Gore Street to Hughey Avenue. From Hughey Avenue, motorists should use America Street to return to West Lucerne Circle.

Other modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.

For more information about the new I-4 and S.R. 408 interchange, visit i4ultimate.com/future408. Sign up to receive I-4 Ultimate construction alerts by email or text at i4ultimate.com.


Recycling the Road Saves Money and Eases Environmental Impact

Article 3 Image

Nearly every inch of concrete pavement along the 21-mile stretch of the I-4 Ultimate project will be replaced by the time the project concludes.

That could mean an enormous amount of dusty waste going into landfills with the added major expense of hauling the heavy stuff a long distance just to dump it. But a forward-looking recycling program now is reusing more than 99 percent of the materials taken from the roads and bridges as they are replaced. That’s even higher than the project’s goal of 98 percent.

Instead of throwing it away, the old pavement is crushed at a nearby location. The pieces then are brought back to the construction area to become part of the foundation or base for the new lanes.

By crushing the large chunks of the old road surface at spots alongside the Interstate 4 (I-4) and reusing it, the team minimizes the environmental impact. “Reusing the concrete means that we’re not filling up landfills,” said Chris DuBois, Area 3 manager for SGL Constructors, the design-build joint venture for the I-4 Ultimate Project. It also lessens the amount of fuel used by trucks.

Even areas with asphalt paving are being recycled. Some of old asphalt is sent to a supplier to reuse in new asphalt mixes. The rest is milled into small pieces to create bedding for temporary roads — lanes that may be needed only for a limited time during construction.

Meanwhile, the steel removed from old concrete goes to recyclers for a variety of uses, and trees and brush become mulch.

“It all minimizes the impact we have on the environment,” said Matt Baumann, environmental manager for SGL. “And the more recycling you can do, the more energy and expenses you can save.”


Tips for Local Businesses during I-4 Construction

Article 4 Image

Some roads may be closed, but businesses remain open.

Local businesses and their customers are gradually adapting to I-4 Ultimate construction. The construction may cause employees and customers to use alternate routes to avoid road closures throughout the duration of the 21-mile improvement project, but they can still get where they want to go.

The I-4 Ultimate project offers information through advanced construction alerts, tweets, monthly newsletters and its website at i4ultimate.com. Despite the spectrum of available resources, community partners like government entities, residents and local businesses are encouraged to help spread the word and increase awareness of construction activity.

There are growing pains during construction, but businesses and their customers should be prepared to grow together, suggested Dan Knapp, a mentor with the Orlando chapter of SCORE, a national business counseling nonprofit supported by the U.S. Small Business Association.

“It can be a challenge,” the retired businessman said.

Regular customers generally are on autopilot when traveling to their favorite stores, Knapp noted. So, he urges vigilance during construction times in the event of a detour.

“Many people aren’t familiar with the streets their businesses are located on because they just don’t think about it,’” Knapp said. “They’ll say, ‘I’ve been going there for years, I know my way.’”

Communication with employees and customers is crucial, he said.

“It’s especially important to communicate with employees,” Knapp said. “Customers expect all employees to be knowledgeable, so business owners and managers should keep them in the loop as well.”

For new customers or clients, business leaders should focus on their target demographic, he said.

“Where are your customers coming from and how are they getting there?” Knapp asked. “Social media can work or handouts can work, it all depends on your target audience.”

Regardless of the medium, business leaders should maintain a steady stream of information regarding any changes with their customers, he said.

“Customers may not always be happy,” Knapp said. “But they certainly will appreciate the information.”

Below are some tips for businesses:

  • Take advantage of existing business associations. Look to your chamber of commerce or other organizations to help organize awareness efforts.
  • Aggressively communicate to your customers how to get to your business. Use your existing means of customer communication. Include construction information in your newsletter, bill-stuffers and invoices.
  • Communicate travel routes with your suppliers and schedule deliveries at non-peak travel times and hours when construction isn’t happening.
  • Consider creating a landing page on your website with links or handouts regarding closures in your area.
  • Use city-approved temporary signs directing motorists to your business.
  • Hold construction-related events, such as special discounts, cookouts, or festivals with activities, prizes and treats to draw customers. Distribute calendars of these events.

Additional resources for businesses, like sample emails or social media postings, are available here: http://i4ultimate.com/public-outreach-education/toolkit/.


New I-4 Ultimate billboards urge vigilance

Article 5 Image

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is reminding motorists to drive safely through work zones with two new billboards constructed in late May on opposite ends of the I-4 Ultimate project corridor.

A vertical two-sided billboard was established by the eastbound Interstate 4 (I-4) exit to State Road (S.R.) 436 in Altamonte Springs, while a traditional two-sided horizontal billboard was erected by the I-4/Kirkman Road interchange near Grand National Drive.

Previously, the billboards displayed I-4 Ultimate logo and the slogan “Keeping I-4 on the Go” and encouraged motorists to sign up for mobile alerts.

The new billboards feature children dressed in bright yellow construction uniforms with the slogan: “Drive safe. Florida’s future depends on it.” The FDOT, ReThink, SunRail and I-4 Ultimate logos run along the bottom.

In I-4 Ultimate work zones, speed limits may be decreased, lanes may be closed, narrowed or shifted and people may be working near the road.

FDOT urges motorists to exercise caution, be mindful of their speed and avoid distractions while driving through work zones along with I-4 Ultimate project and all other work zones.

Preparation is crucial, so FDOT encourages motorists to familiarize themselves with work zones and any changes in their traffic pattern.

Article 5 Image

Employee Spotlight: Roy Schofield

ROY SCHOFIELD
Construction Oversight Services, Project Administrator
Resident of Altamonte Springs and Davie, Florida

As a Project Administrator performing Construction Oversight Services, Roy Schofield keeps watch over the 21-mile stretch of the I-4 Ultimate project, plus another three miles on each end because of service patrol limits.

Employee Spotlight photo

Those 27 miles are a lot to monitor while construction progresses, but it seems to come naturally to him.

Schofield has 34 years in the highway construction industry and is the third of four generations in his family of highway contractors, engineers, supervisors and inspectors. That represents about 75 years of experience in the business, stretching from grandfather Red to son Justin.

“It’s in my blood,” said Schofield, whose duties include making sure that I-4 Ultimate reconstruction project is well maintained during construction and remains a safe and efficient travel route, just as his parents might have done on other state highways.

His father was the District Maintenance Engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation in District 4. His mother was the Director of Facilities and Communications for Florida’s Turnpike. The Eleanor Register Turnpike Operations Center in Pompano Beach is named for her.

Schofield, who works for HNTB – the Construction Oversight Services consultant to FDOT – drives the entire length of the project in each direction at least twice a day. “I want to minimize the impact of the construction on the motoring public by making sure traffic can flow as safely and efficiently as possible.”

All that driving might sound tedious, but it’s needed to monitor the vast and changing project. “I’ve always enjoyed highway construction work,” Schofield said. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

However, he did interrupt his career when the U.S. Coast Guard called him to active duty and sent his unit to deal with security at a major Saudi Arabian port during Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. While there, he earned several commendations, including the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal.

When he’s not monitoring I-4, he likes to share his spare time with his wife, Stephanie Grindell, at their home in Broward County. That is, of course, when he’s not working in Central Florida and she’s not traveling for business. Stephanie is a registered professional engineer and is in the construction field as well.


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).