i-4 Ultimate
 

May 2020

 
IN THIS UPDATE
* Update on I-4 Continuous Closures
* Governor Ron DeSantis Announces the Opening of the I-4/S.R. 408 Interchange Ramps
* Westbound I-4 Entrance Ramp from Eastbound State Road 434 Moves to Final Configuration
* WB I-4 Access from Ivanhoe Boulevard Shifts Into New Configuration
* Employee Spotlight: Cindy Peabody
 
 
 

Update on I-4 Continuous Closures

 

In the wake of the milestone opening of the new flyover ramps at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and State Road (S.R.) 408 interchange, work continues to move forward on the I-4 Ultimate Project throughout downtown Orlando. Construction crews are making improvements to numerous ramps and interchanges throughout the corridor, requiring some continuous closures in the downtown area, while others are getting into their final configuration.

Here are the details of the closures:

  • The eastbound entrance ramp to I-4 from Orange Blossom Trail (U.S. 441/17-92), which closed in late April, is scheduled to reopen the last week of May. Crews have been constructing a new ramp and accelerating construction in that location by one to two months.
  • Continuous closures in the downtown area include the exit from eastbound S.R. 408 to Orange Avenue, eastbound entrance ramp access from the eastbound lane on Anderson Street, and eastbound/westbound South Street under I-4.
  • The eastbound S.R. 408 exit to Orange Avenue will remain closed through mid-September so that crews can demolish and rebuild the ramp. Trucks should use the eastbound S.R. 408 exit to Orange Blossom Trail (Exit 9) while cars can use the non-signalized U-turn at Mills Avenue under S.R. 408 to proceed into downtown Orlando. Tolls are suspended at Orange Blossom Trail and Mills Avenue from eastbound S.R. 408 during this closure. In addition, a portion of Carter Street between Rio Grande Avenue and Orange Blossom Trail will remain closed to allow traffic to flow freely from the S.R. 408 exit to Orange Blossom Trail. Carter Street between Rio Grande Avenue and Jones High School will remain a two-way street during this closure to allow access to the school.
  • The entrance ramp access to eastbound I-4 from eastbound Anderson Street will continue until late June, although the eastbound I-4 ramp can still be accessed from westbound Anderson Street. This closure provides the necessary space for crews to build a traffic railing and new pedestrian bridge. Motorists on eastbound Anderson Street can access eastbound I-4 by continuing to Rosalind Avenue and traveling north to Amelia Street. After turning left onto Amelia Street, they will turn right onto northbound Garland Avenue and proceed to the entrance ramp in that location.
  • The South Street closure under I-4 will continue into early July so that crews can complete bridge work. Local traffic will detour south to Anderson Street from Division Avenue and Boone Avenue, and north to Church Street via Garland Avenue and Hughey Avenue.
 
 
 
 

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces the Opening of the I-4/S.R. 408 Interchange Ramps

 

As a result of his directive to accelerate work on the I-4 Ultimate project due to decreased volume in traffic as a result of COVID-19, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced the opening of five new Interstate 4 (I-4)/State Road (S.R.) 408 flyover ramps. This project is completed more than three months ahead of schedule and enhances safety and mobility, while reducing travel times in the heart of Florida.

“I’m pleased to announce the opening of the I-4 corridor three months earlier than planned after we took advantage of the lower traffic volume by accelerating work on some of these busy roads,” said Governor DeSantis. “The completion of this project will make a big difference for Floridians who commute through this area. Secretary Thibault has shown his commitment and dedication in completing this project expeditiously, and I look forward to seeing more infrastructure projects like this finish ahead of schedule.”

“In early April, Governor DeSantis challenged the Department to find ways to accelerate I-4 construction while there was less traffic on the road, and I am pleased to announce that we have opened these critical components of the I-4 corridor to drivers, three months ahead of schedule,” said FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. “This is the biggest milestone of the project to date, which will undoubtedly transform the heart of our state’s transportation system. I am grateful for the Governor’s common-sense approach to moving Florida forward during this unprecedented time.”

“Today’s event marks an amazing achievement for the state as well as the Central Florida community,” said Central Florida Expressway Authority Chairman Brenda Carey. “We appreciate the continued partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation and look forward to further improving mobility throughout the region.”

On April 11, Governor DeSantis and Secretary Thibault announced plans to open the I-4/S.R.408 interchange by Independence Day, which was ahead of schedule. Since then, the Department was able to further accelerate work by more than 6 weeks, opening four new I-4/S.R. 408 ramps along with the eastbound S.R. 408 ramp to westbound I-4.

During the acceleration period, the I-4 Ultimate team has been working at more than 12 locations with extended lane and ramp closures and has reduced construction time by one to two months.

To view all of the new interchange movements, motorists should visit the S.R. 408 Interactive map. When traveling throughout the corridor, always maintain a safe speed in the work zone, follow posted detour signs, and allow extra time to navigate the downtown area.

The westbound S.R. 408 to westbound I-4 flyover is the final ramp and is scheduled to open later this summer.

 
 
 
 

Westbound I-4 Entrance Ramp from Eastbound State Road 434 Moves to Final Configuration

 

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in accordance with Governor Ron DeSantis’ directive to accelerate the I-4 Ultimate project while there is reduced traffic, continues to move forward with work at 12 keys areas along 21-mile project.

One of those areas includes the State Road (S.R.) 434 interchange, where the westbound Interstate 4 (I-4) entrance ramp from eastbound State Road (S.R.) 434 reopened in its final configuration May 22 after a month-long closure.

The ramp reopening marks a milestone for the I-4 and S.R. 434 interchange as all ramps there are in their final alignments.

Please download or view the handout for more information about the ramp opening.

Motorists should maintain a safe speed when driving through the work zone and carefully follow roadway signs. Additional resources to help you stay connected with the I-4 Ultimate project are available at https://i4ultimate.com/signup/.

 
 
 
 

WB I-4 Access from Ivanhoe Boulevard Shifts Into New Configuration

 

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has reopened the westbound Interstate 4 (I-4) ramp from Ivanhoe Boulevard.

The ramp, which was closed for a month, reopened in its final footprint May 29.

The new configuration of the ramp requires drivers to follow the new ramp through the Colonial Drive (State Road 50) interchange and enter westbound I-4 from Amelia Street.

After construction of the westbound I-4 entrance ramp from Colonial Drive is complete, drivers accessing westbound I-4 from Ivanhoe Boulevard will be able to enter via Colonial Drive. The I-4 westbound entrance ramp from Colonial Drive is scheduled to reopen fall 2020.

Access to westbound I-4 from Ivanhoe Boulevard and Colonial Drive will then be in its final configuration.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in accordance with Governor Ron DeSantis’ directive to accelerate the I-4 Ultimate project while there is reduced traffic resulting from COVID-19, continues to move forward with work at 12 keys areas along 21-mile project.

More resources to help you be in the know about closures and reopenings are available at https://i4ultimate.com/signup/.

Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving through the work zone and only use hands-free devices while driving.

 
 
 
 

Employee Spotlight: Cindy Peabody
Business Manager for SGL


Photo of Cindy Peabody

Cindy Peabody grew up in the construction business. Her father founded a concrete company, where she got her first job experience. To this day, she still seems to enjoy creating a bit of a family atmosphere at her workplace wherever she can.

Although she is currently a business manager for SGL – the joint venture of Skanska, Granite, and Lane for the construction of the I-4 Ultimate project – she even tries to bring a family feeling to that huge undertaking.

Indeed, that may be why, in addition to massive jobs such as doing the payroll for the North Segment project team, she also still makes time to volunteer for many activities. She’s very active in the annual season of giving campaigns, organizing her team when it’s time to collect school materials, food, and cold and flu supplies. She even helps deliver items as part of the charitable effort.

Peabody also enjoys seeing others honored for their accomplishments. “I really like Safety Week and seeing the employees being appreciated for their safe practices,” Peabody said.  “I also appreciate the on-the-job-training awards and seeing what those hard workers have accomplished and how they now have a trade to take with them wherever their career leads them.”

Her typical daily and weekly duties can include managing all human resource aspects for the north segment of the project, looking after payroll, overseeing invoice processing, and taking care of many other office needs and related tasks.

Outside the office, she enjoys fishing, camping, and barbeque competitions.