i-4 Ultimate
 

February 2020

 
IN THIS UPDATE
* Westbound I-4 Lanes from Par Street to Ivanhoe Blvd. Shifts to Permanent Configuration
* Portion of Eastbound Maitland Boulevard Shifts into Final Configuration
* Employee Spotlight: Wayne Champion
 
 
 

Westbound I-4 Lanes from Par Street to Ivanhoe Blvd. Shifts to Permanent Configuration

WB I-4 shift map
 

Motorists may have noticed a slight change as they approached downtown Orlando.

During the weekend of February 8, crews shifted approximately two miles of westbound I-4 from Par Street through Ivanhoe Boulevard into its final footprint.

To help implement the shift, the temporary left-hand exit to Colonial Drive (State Road 50) closed during the weekend. The temporary ramp opened in December when the loop ramp to Colonial Drive was closed to provide space for continued permanent westbound lane construction. It will reopen in approximately one year.

Additional shifts and closures will be necessary as construction continues. Visit the I-4 Ultimate interactive map to view the most up-to-date construction alerts and to sign up for customizable alerts.

Motorists should maintain a safe speed when driving through the work zone, follow posted detour signs, and allow extra time to navigate the downtown area.

 
 
 
 

Portion of Eastbound Maitland Boulevard Shifts into Final Configuration

EB Maitland Blvd shift map
 

Drivers may notice something different about eastbound Maitland Boulevard (State Road 414).

On January 31, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) shifted a fragment of eastbound Maitland Boulevard between Maitland Summit Boulevard and the westbound Interstate 4 (I-4) entrance ramp to its permanent configuration.

The shift relocated traffic onto elevated and newly paved roadway and includes an additional lane to increase capacity and help reduce backups. As part of this movement, eastbound Maitland Boulevard will allow free-flow traffic, starting at State Road 434, to the I-4 access ramps.

Allowing free-flow traffic may help reduce congestion as motorists encounter fewer traffic signals.

While traveling on eastbound Maitland Boulevard, motorists can continue straight toward I-4 and Maitland Avenue or exit to the right to use a frontage road with access to Maitland Summit Boulevard or Keller Road.

Additional traffic shifts at Maitland Boulevard will occur later this year. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving through the work zone.

To receive updates on construction activity, visit the interactive construction alerts map or sign up for newsletters and customizable alerts.

 
 
 
 

Employee Spotlight: Wayne Champion
Maintenance of Traffic Superintendent & Manager of Temporary Concrete Barrier Walls


Photo of Wayne Champion

Temporary concrete-barrier walls are among the most noticeable and numerous items on the I-4 Ultimate improvement project and among the most important ones, too.

Visible nearly everywhere along the 21-mile project, the movable concrete barriers are essential to safety and construction progress. About 28,000 barrier wall segments, or more than 350,000 linear feet, have been deployed across the project to help keep motorists and workers safe.

The job of keeping up with the transport, placement, and condition of each of the 28,000 concrete segments, typically about 12 feet long and 5,200 pounds, falls to Wayne Champion, Maintenance of Traffic Superintendent.

It's a big challenge. Indeed, if all the concrete barrier segments, each weighing as much as a midsize SUV, were placed end to end, they would stretch more than 65 miles, which is greater than the distance from downtown Orlando to Daytona Beach.

“There are a lot of details in what I do, but I have the unique opportunity to work both in the office and out in the field, so it is truly the best of both worlds,” Champion said.

Champion, who grew up in Wildwood, Florida, said he feels honored to work on such a huge project that will improve safety and mobility for so many people in the region he still calls home.

“I am proud to be part of something that is going to be amazing in the end,” he said.

He also feels the responsibility to make sure all safety procedures are in place during the many lane shifts, which often require the moving of concrete barriers to protect both motorists and workers and keep traffic flowing.

Champion enjoys working with the wide array of people he meets while working with different parts of the I-4 Ultimate team.

“I respect them very much and have learned a lot from them,” he said.

When not working, Champion enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and going on cruises.