FDOT Accelerates Significant Portions of I‑4 Ultimate Project

Furthering Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction to accelerate transportation projects across Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is expediting significant portions of the I‑4 Ultimate Project in Orlando.

With the ability to increase lane closures and extend work hours because of the reduction in traffic, FDOT plans to complete segments of the westbound general use lanes and their connections to the State Road (S.R.) 408 interchange 1–2 months earlier, later this summer. This acceleration will also help continue to provide much-needed jobs throughout Central Florida.

“The Department completely understands that I‑4 is a major artery within our state’s transportation system and delivering these significant portions of the I‑4 Ultimate Project is a huge win for Florida’s residents and economy,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. “We are thrilled to accelerate as many segments of the project as possible so Central Florida residents can experience enhanced mobility on the corridor once we return to normal after COVID-19.”

The $2.3 billion I‑4 Ultimate project will reconstruct 21 miles of I‑4 from west of Kirkman Road to east of State Road 434 in Longwood. The specific segments of the I‑4 Ultimate project that will be accelerated include:

• Segments of Westbound I‑4 through downtown Orlando.
• Portions of the SR 408 interchange.

Acceleration of work in these areas will put more lanes of westbound I‑4 into final configuration, reduce the number of construction sequences that would have occurred, and greatly reduce congestion through the most heavily traveled interchange within the I‑4 Ultimate project.

No additional costs will be incurred or paid to accelerate these work activities. Maps of the planned detours and lane closures are attached and posted here for reference.

FDOT continues to look for opportunities to accelerate projects across the state during this low traffic period and will share those updates as they are available.

Eastbound State Road 408 Exit Ramp to Orange Avenue Closing for Six Months

Motorists should be aware of a major change to how they access downtown Orlando from State Road (S.R.) 408.

The eastbound S.R. 408 exit ramp to Orange Avenue (Exit 10C) closed Monday, April 27, for approximately six months.

The closure is necessary to allow crews to demolish the current exit ramp to Orange Avenue and rebuild a new one to accommodate a wider eastbound S.R. 408.

Tolls will be suspended at the eastbound S.R. 408 exit to Mills Avenue (Exit 11B) during the closure. A non-signalized U-turn will be created on Mills Avenue under S.R. 408, which will allow drivers to use South Street to access downtown Orlando.

For more information about the closure of the eastbound S.R. 408 exit ramp to Orange Avenue, please download or view the attached handout .

The temporary U-turn at Mills Avenue is not wide enough to accommodate trucks. An alternate route via Orange Blossom Trail (U.S. 441/17-92) (Exit 9) will be dedicated for trucks. Please download or view the attached handout for more information.

Additional materials also are available at our online community toolkit at: https://fdot.tips/OrangeAveMediakit .

Additional overnight ramp closures in the area may be necessary to continue work at the S.R. 408 and I‑4 interchange. Visit I‑4 Ultimate’s interactive map to view the most up-to-date construction alerts or to sign up for construction updates.

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.

Reminder: Long-term Closures in the Downtown Orlando Area

Multiple ramps have closed in and around the downtown Orlando area as part of the effort to increase safety and mobility on the interstate.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) permanently closed the temporary left exit from westbound Interstate 4 (I‑4) to Colonial Drive (State Road 50) March 27.

Access to downtown Orlando will shift to the westbound I‑4 exit for Ivanhoe Boulevard (Exit 84B) while reconstruction of the Colonial Drive interchange continues. Please view a map detailing the new route.

Work at the Colonial Drive interchange is focused on building new westbound I‑4 lanes. The project team anticipates opening new westbound general use lanes and the new westbound I‑4 exit at Colonial Drive as soon as summer 2020.

The westbound I‑4 entrance ramp from Ivanhoe Boulevard closed April 24. The ramp is scheduled to reopen in approximately one month.

The continuous closure provides space for crews to construct new westbound I‑4 travel lanes and permanent interstate ramps between Ivanhoe Boulevard and Colonial Drive. The previously closed westbound I‑4 entrance ramp from Colonial Drive will remain closed until fall 2020. Drivers can continue on Hughey Avenue and enter westbound I‑4 from South Street.

Please view the handout detailing this closure.

Additionally, the eastbound I‑4 entrance ramp from northbound Orange Blossom Trail closed April 27 (U.S. 441/17-92) for approximately one month. The closure is necessary to allow crews to construct a new ramp and accelerate construction in this area by 1–2 months.

For more information about the closure of the eastbound I‑4 entrance ramp from northbound Orange Blossom Trail, please download or view the handout.

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, current interchange configurations, photos, and more.

Additional resources to help you stay connected with the I‑4 Ultimate project are available at https://i4ultimate.com/signup/.

Motorists should maintain a safe speed when driving through the work zone, follow posted detour signs, and allow extra time to reach their destinations.

Updates in Longwood:
I‑4 Ultimate Prepares Ramps and Lanes for Final Footprint

If you often travel near the Interstate 4 and State Road (S.R.) 434 interchange, you’ve likely noticed the increase of construction activity.

Within the past few weeks, The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has opened a new entrance loop ramp from westbound State Road (S.R.) 434 to westbound Interstate 4 (I‑4) and has closed the entrance ramp from eastbound S.R. 434 to westbound I‑4. Both roadway changes are necessary for ongoing work to improve traffic flow throughout the interchange.

Here’s a few more details on each modification:

New westbound I‑4 entrance ramp: The loop ramp from westbound S.R. 434 to westbound I‑4 opened April 4. The new ramp allows drivers to enter I‑4 without a traffic signal, improving traffic flow on S.R. 434. The change requires motorists to be in the right lane as they pass under I‑4 to enter the single lane ramp from the right side of S.R. 434.

The left turn lanes on westbound S.R. 434 to westbound I‑4 closed when the new ramp opened.

Westbound I‑4 entrance ramp from eastbound S.R. 434 closing for one month: To accelerate construction work in the Longwood area by 1-2 months, FDOT temporarily closed the westbound I‑4 entrance ramp from eastbound S.R. 434 for a month, beginning April 14 through mid-May.

The closure is necessary for workers to complete the new westbound I‑4 lanes from east of S.R. 434 toward Central Parkway and build the new permanent westbound I‑4 on-ramp from eastbound S.R. 434. When the closure ends, westbound I‑4 traffic will be in its final alignment between the westbound rest area and Maitland.

Motorists should maintain a safe speed when driving through the work zone, follow posted detour signs, and allow extra time to reach to their destinations.

To receive updates on construction activity, check out and sign up for a variety of resources at https://i4ultimate.com/signup/.

Mind the Speed Limit When Driving Through I‑4 Ultimate Work Zone

Most collisions in work zones are preventable.

With fewer vehicles on the road, some drivers may be tempted to increase their speed. However, driving at higher speeds through work zones increases the danger to both motorists and workers.

As work on the I‑4 Ultimate project continues, motorists should maintain a speed limit of 50–55 mph through the 21-mile construction zone and remember these tips to keep themselves, other motorists, and I‑4 Ultimate workers safe:

• Adjust your speed — The easiest way to reduce your risk of an accident is to carefully monitor your speed to ensure you’re not exceeding posted speed limits.
• Leave mobile devices alone — It’s now illegal to hold your smartphone or tablet while driving through a work zone. Using hands-free technology in work zones is not just a good way to avoid distraction — it’s also the law.
• Pay attention — The I‑4 Ultimate work zone is an ever-changing environment. Watch for changes in access points to interstate exits as well as lane shifts or closures ahead. Avoid distractions, such as eating, drinking, and adjusting the radio, while you drive. It’s also helpful to subscribe to I‑4 Ultimate alerts to know the latest changes along your commute before you leave the house or office.
• Don’t tailgate — Passenger vehicles traveling at 50 mph require 300 feet of stopping distance on dry roads. A loaded tractor-trailer needs 450 feet to come to a complete stop. Allow other drivers plenty of room.

Learn more about work zone safety here.

Employee Spotlight: Diana Bellinghausen
Environmental, Health & Safety Manager

Diana Bellinghausen’s role as Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager include roles that focus on protecting those working on the I‑4 Ultimate Project. Staff working on the 21-mile reconstruction project are needed to keep the vital transportation project moving forward.

Bellinghausen is grateful for the chance to help team members stay well by explaining safety and health tips.

She also inspects the operation and layout of worksites, ensuring all safety protocols are in place. She recommends improvements and monitors progress and performance.

Regardless of the mission, she says, “My motto at work is ‘Work, Learn, Love!’” In other words, work hard, stay updated on the latest safety, and love what you do.

Bellinghausen’s duties regarding safety and wellness fit right into her overall outlook on how she values her teammates, remains awed by the huge construction project, and appreciates the beauty of the state of Florida.

Having grown up in Bogota, Columbia and graduated from college there with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, she had a good idea of the broad range of safety issues – from the structural to the biological – that she might face.

These days, she may find herself working nearly anywhere on the 21-mile project, dealing with Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) groups in one place during the day or asphalt and concrete crews in other spots during the evening. It’s a challenge she enjoys.

Outside of work, she enjoys supporting sustainability and animal causes, Zumba, dancing salsa, talking to her family, reading books, and walking in the Orlando parks.