i-4 Ultimate
 

May 2019

 
IN THIS UPDATE
* More Progress: EB I‑4 Exit Ramps to S.R. 408/South St. to Open May 24
* New Configuration of WB I-4 Exit Ramp to Ivanhoe Blvd. Opening in Early June
* Employee Spotlight: Amanda Price
* Limited Construction Closures Scheduled During Memorial Day Weekend
* Technology to Help Your Commute
 
 
 

More Progress: EB I‑4 Exit Ramps to S.R. 408/South St. to Open May 24

Upcoming change switches traffic on the combined eastbound I‑4 ramp to S.R. 408 (right lane) and South Street (left lane)
 

Motorists traveling eastbound Interstate 4 (I‑4) to State Road (S.R.) 408 and South Street should expect another change to these exit ramps as soon as Friday, May 24.

A new configuration of the temporary combined exit ramps will require motorists exiting eastbound I‑4 to be in the left lane for South Street and the right lane for S.R. 408.

This is the second recent change with these eastbound I‑4 exit ramps. In late April, the South Street exit ramp (Exit 82B) was temporarily combined with the S.R. 408 exit ramp (Exit 82A).

The new temporary configuration relocates the eastbound I‑4 exit ramp to S.R. 408. The exit point from eastbound I‑4 will remain the same; however, instead of traveling over I‑4 on a bridge to reach S.R. 408, motorists will travel parallel to Division Avenue under I‑4 and then Gore Street before rejoining the existing exit ramp to S.R. 408.

This temporary ramp configuration will be in place for approximately 17 months, giving construction crews a safe workspace to demolish the old bridge over I‑4 that is no longer needed and continue rebuilding I‑4.

A handout detailing the temporary ramp configuration is available to view or download at fdot.tips/exit82.

The I‑4 Ultimate project has several avenues for motorists to learn about upcoming ramp shifts:

  • Follow @i4Ultimate on Twitter to see weekly closures and detours planned on the corridor.
  • Subscribe to the I‑4 Ultimate newsfeed to learn about upcoming major construction activities.
 
 
 
 

New Configuration of WB I-4 Exit Ramp to Ivanhoe Blvd. Opening in Early June

New ramp configuration for the westbound I‑4 exit ramp to Ivanhoe Boulevard moves the exit point by a half mile.
 

The first new bridges over Lake Ivanhoe for westbound traffic are set to open in early June.

These new bridges will support a redesigned westbound Interstate 4 (I‑4) exit ramp to Ivanhoe Boulevard (Exit 84B). As soon as the first week in June, motorists will notice this exit ramp shift to a new location about a half-mile sooner than before.

The existing loop ramp will be replaced with a straightened two-lane ramp. While not in its permanent configuration, this temporary ramp shift gives a glimpse into the future alignment of the Ivanhoe Boulevard exit ramp, which will begin before motorists reach Lake Ivanhoe.

Following this exit ramp shift at Ivanhoe Boulevard, the westbound I‑4 ramps at Princeton Street and the westbound I‑4 entrance ramp from Par Street also will move to interim configurations in June and create a temporary ramp system similar to the existing system along eastbound I‑4. The additional shifts are necessary to continue building the new westbound I‑4 travel lanes.

Stay up to date to on all construction closures and detours by subscribing to the I‑4 Ultimate project advance construction alert system, Twitter feed or website newsfeed at i4ultimate.com/signup.

 
 
 
 

Spotlight Employee: Amanda Price
Safety Manager for the I-4 Ultimate Project


Safety managers such as Amanda Price know that the 21-mile I‑4 Ultimate project can be a very busy worksite and that their work remains vital, as construction proceeds.

Bulldozers, front-end loaders, cranes, concrete mixers, dump trucks, and hundreds of people may all be hard at work at any one time on the massive project that works round-the-clock. For many managers, the dedicated effort to eliminate hazards for construction workers and motorists becomes a professional calling.

But for Price, it’s also personal.

“My dad has a construction business, so that is what I grew up around,” she said. “Many of my father’s workers have been with him for 10 or 20-plus years. When I was thirteen, there was an accident on his job, and it was like a family member was affected. I decided to get my degree in Occupational Safety and Health to try and prevent other families from going through what mine did.”

With more than 1,500 workers involved with I‑4 Ultimate, there are many families for Price to worry about and a great number of places for the safety team to carry out inspections for SGL – the construction joint venture of Skanska, Granite and Lane.

“I love that I get to help and take care of people,” Price said. “Every day I am given the opportunity to positively impact the safety culture of our project, and it is an amazing feeling to know that your training and corrections in the field help people go home to their families each day.”

As part of SGL’s Environmental, Health and Safety Team, Price and other managers stay busy patrolling the corridor, inspecting work sites and equipment, and training personnel in safety procedures. “I conduct field inspections, give first-aid treatment, hold post-incident review meetings, and hold regular safety meetings and training, among other things.”

Price, who is from Kingston, Oklahoma, earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. In her spare time, she likes to travel, attend concerts and sporting events, and play the guitar.

 
 
 
 

Limited Construction Closures Scheduled During Memorial Day Weekend

 

Motorists traveling on Interstate 4 (I‑4) this Memorial Day weekend will not have to contend with I‑4 Ultimate construction closures.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is suspending lane and ramp closures all day Saturday, Sunday and during daytime/evening hours on Monday. Only minimal construction closures are expected for late Friday and Monday nights. The suspension of closures will help minimize potential traffic delays during the busy travel weekend.

Existing work zones will remain in effect. Crews will continue to maintain travel lanes and conduct routine maintenance. Maintenance work may require nighttime lane closures.

Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through the I‑4 Ultimate work zone. FDOT encourages drivers to allow extra travel time and to use caution in existing work zones. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT also asks drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.

 
 
 
 
 

This summer, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five will open a new Regional Transportation Management Center in Seminole County near where Interstate 4 (I‑4), State Road 417 and a new segment of Wekiva Parkway will intersect. The I‑4 Ultimate monthly newsletter is highlighting information on how this facility is so vital to the day‑to‑day operations of I‑4 with the following story.

 
 
 
 
 

Technology to Help Your Commute

 

Traffic information is widely available to help drivers make better choices about their daily commutes and other trips. Navigation apps, websites, and TV and radio traffic reports give information about congestion, construction, and crashes creating delays on the roadway.

The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC) is the original source for much of that information. And one of the center’s most important tools is the state’s smart data network.

FDOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program helps the department manage traffic through collecting and analyzing data, then studying it at the RTMC, and sharing information with drivers to help them safely and efficiently reach their destination.

In Florida, ITS comprises:

  • Roadside technology, including CCTV cameras and vehicle detectors that monitor the speed and volume of traffic, and detect incidents, crashes, and congestion.
  • Software that gathers the data and enables operators to understand what’s happening on the roadways, then act to solve problems.
  • Communication tools, including Florida 511, overhead message boards, connected vehicle applications, and truck parking availability systems, all of which allow operators to let drivers know about roadway conditions and encourage them to seek alternatives.
  • Smart traffic control systems, such as intelligent traffic signals, ramp meters, variable toll systems, and transit priority systems, help operators manage traffic flow.
  • The RTMCs that serve as the operations centers, housing the people and technology.
  • A network of fiber-optic and wireless connections that keep ITS data flowing from the roadside to the RTMC and back out to the drivers.
  • People, including engineers, operators, Road Rangers, and other first responders, whose expertise helps keep traffic on Florida roadways moving efficiently and safely.

Expect even more data from intelligent transportation systems in the future. Connected vehicle technology is the next generation of ITS. Vehicles and infrastructure are already able to communicate with each other. Vehicles send information about their speed, location, and roadway conditions, and then receive safety messages back, which are displayed to their drivers. This data lets FDOT further assist with traffic management and provide drivers with the most recent updates on roadway conditions.