i-4 Ultimate
 

September 2020

 
IN THIS UPDATE
* New Eastbound State Road 408 Ramp to Orange Avenue Now Open
* New Westbound I-4 Ramp to Southbound Orange Blossom Trail Now Open
* Final Ramp at Kirkman Interchange Opens
* Construction Update: Mills Avenue Returns to Original Configuration
* Spotlight: Construction Safety Week
 
 
 

New Eastbound State Road 408 Ramp to Orange Avenue Now Open

 

The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) I-4 Ultimate project continues making significant progress building new interchange ramps to improve safety and mobility on Central Florida’s two busiest roads — Interstate 4 (I-4) and State Road (S.R.) 408.

The newly constructed eastbound S.R. 408 exit to Orange Avenue (Exit 10B) opened the morning of Saturday, September 12. There is no toll to use this exit.

Access to the newly constructed ramp, which closed for approximately six months, is located about a half-mile sooner than its previous location. The ramp is not accessible to traffic entering eastbound S.R. 408 from I-4. Reconfiguration of the interchange placed the I-4 ramps beyond the exit point to the Orange Avenue ramp.

Eastbound I-4 drivers can access Orange Avenue via South Street (Exit 83). Westbound I-4 motorists can access Orange Avenue from the Anderson Street ramp (Exit 83).

The temporary nonsignalized U-turn on Mills Avenue (Exit 11B) has been removed. It remained in place for a week after the new ramp opened.

Additionally, Carter Street between Rio Grande Avenue and Orange Blossom Trail was restored to its previous one-way alignment September 12.

For more information, please view or download this handout.

As closures and shifts continue, it is important for motorists to pay extra attention to signage as familiar routes may have changed. Drivers should avoid distractions, adjust their speed, and allow plenty of extra time to navigate the I-4 Ultimate work zone.

 
 
 
 

New Westbound I-4 Ramp to Southbound Orange Blossom Trail Now Open

 

Drivers traveling on Interstate 4 (I-4) south of downtown Orlando now have a new option to access southbound Orange Blossom Trail (U.S. 441/17-92).

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened a new ramp from westbound I-4 to southbound Orange Blossom Trail September 21, placing the ramp in its final configuration.

Replacing the left-hand exit to southbound Orange Blossom Trail with a more traditional right-hand exit reduces weaving and meets motorists’ expectations. The longer, free-flowing ramp also creates additional space for drivers to slow down as they exit the interstate.

An additional lane from Orange Blossom Trail to John Young Parkway also was added as part of the shift.

Please view this handout for more information about this new movement.

As new ramps and sections of the interstate move into their final footprints, it is important for drivers to pay attention to signs as navigational systems may not be up to date. For current configurations of interchanges along the 21-mile construction project, visit the I-4 Ultimate construction map.

 
 
 
 

Final Ramp at Kirkman Interchange Opens

 

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened a new entrance ramp to Interstate 4 (I-4) at the Kirkman Road interchange the morning of Wednesday, September 30, placing all ramps at the interchange in their final configurations.

The new movement allows drivers on southbound Kirkman Road to make a right turn without a traffic signal to merge onto eastbound I-4. Motorists will need to be in the right lane as they pass over I-4 to enter the single-lane ramp from the right side of southbound Kirkman Road.

The reconfigured Kirkman Road interchange improves mobility and safety for those traveling throughout the attractions area. One of the most significant improvements involved eliminating left-hand exits that were part of the interstate’s original design. Drivers now have access to right-hand exits to Kirkman Road.

Other improvements in the area included extending ramps at both Kirkman Road and Universal Boulevard and straightening the interstate and Kirkman Road to create a smoother and safer traffic flow.

Additionally, the Grand National Overpass, which will feature exit and entrance ramps to the managed lanes, was built to further improve the connection between the attractions, hotels, shopping, restaurants and more.

Improving pedestrian safety in the attractions area also was essential. Once open, the Kirkman Road pedestrian bridge, located just north of the Major Boulevard intersection, will connect pedestrians and cyclists from the attractions on the west side to hotels and businesses on the east side. In addition to improving safety, this also will improve traffic flow because drivers will no longer have to wait for pedestrians to cross.

The Kirkman Road pedestrian bridge is substantially complete, and the contractors are working to finalize the remaining items, including additional coordination with local partners regarding agreements before the bridge can be opened.

Please view or download this handout for more information.

Motorists are encouraged to follow @I4Ultimate on Twitter or visit I4Ultimate.com to stay in the know about milestones on the project.

 
 
 
 

Construction Update: Mills Avenue Returns to Original Configuration

 

The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) I-4 Ultimate project continues making significant progress along Interstate 4 (I-4) and in reconfiguring State Road (S.R.) 408 downtown, improving safety and mobility.

The temporary non-signalized U-turn at Mills Avenue — Exit 11B from eastbound S.R. 408 — is no longer in place as of September 18, restoring Mills Avenue under S.R. 408 to its previous alignment. The toll at this exit, which was suspended during the construction of the new Orange Avenue ramp, has also resumed.

Closures and shifts will be necessary to continue shifting ramps and portions of I-4 into their final footprints.

As a reminder, the following closures are ongoing:

As closures and shifts continue, it is important for motorists to pay extra attention to signage, as familiar routes may have changed. Drivers should avoid distractions, adjust their speed, and allow plenty of extra time to navigate the I-4 Ultimate work zone.

 
 
 
 

Spotlight: Construction Safety Week

 

The entire I-4 Ultimate team celebrated Construction Safety Week earlier this month as part of the group’s ongoing commitment to staying safe on the job and at home.

Managers of SGL — the construction joint venture of Skanska, Granite, and Lane for the I-4 Ultimate project — used the week to re-emphasize safety as a vital part of the lives of every team member. That means seeing safety as a key ingredient in every construction plan and each individual act of digging, building, and paving while working at construction sites.

The group also emphasized the need for office workers to take care while bending and lifting or when walking on the stairs or across the parking lot. They hope that all workers take the safety messages home as well.

Construction Safety Week is observed by many members of the industry each year to reinforce safety messaging and practices. The 2020 observance ran from September 14 to September 18.

“This year’s theme is ‘Built on Safety,’” said SGL Safety Director Lou Dema. “Safety is not a rule, it is a value and belief we all share. It’s the foundation of everything we do. Every decision, every operation and every project must be built on safety.”

To keep that message fresh for the entire I-4 Ultimate team, the group decided to highlight a different theme each day to be reflected in messaging, informational materials and discussions called Toolbox Talks. The week’s talk topics included: loading and unloading, hand safety, power tools, and rigging safety.

Additionally, the groups discussed COVID-19 safety and conducted all discussions while observing social distancing. Toolbox Talks were conducted in both English and Spanish, and the associated materials were prepared in both languages. Partners and vendors also were encouraged to take part.

Safety Director Dema reminded the team of the positive goals they were achieving and the workplace culture they were building — a caring atmosphere where team members look out for each other and everyone goes home safely.

“I want to recognize and thank everyone on our project who made the choice to work safely and to embrace our care-for-life values and culture not only during this week, but every day,” Dema said. “Congratulations on everyone’s efforts thus far resulting in 3.4 million man-hours and 352 days without lost time. Let’s finish strong in both safety and quality.”