Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida DOT (FDOT) this week announced the opening of five new I-4/S.R. 408 flyover ramps, which make up a significant portion of the I-4 Ultimate project in Central Florida.
This part of the project is completed more than three months ahead of schedule and enhances safety and mobility, while reducing travel times in the heart of Florida.
This comes as a result of the governor's directive to accelerate work on the I-4 Ultimate project due to decreased volume in traffic as a result of COVID-19.
On April 11, Governor DeSantis and FDOT Secretary Kevin 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 six weeks, opening four new I-4/S.R. 408 ramps along with the eastbound S.R. 408 ramp to westbound I-4.
“The completion of this project will make a big difference for Floridians who commute through this area," Gov. DeSantis said in a statement. "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.”
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.
Around this time last year, project builder I-4 Mobility Partners had told FDOT that the I-4 Ultimate project was falling behind schedule by nearly nine months. The project has also made headlines for several jobsite injuries and worker deaths.
The westbound S.R. 408 to westbound I-4 flyover is the final interchange and is scheduled to open later this summer.
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SOURCE: Office of Gov. Ron DeSantis
