The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) this week announced that the I-4 Express lanes in Orlando—part of the I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project—have opened to traffic.
The newly built managed lanes extend from just west of Kirkman Road (S.R. 435) in Orange County to just east of S.R. 434 in Seminole County and are separated by a concrete barrier wall from the general use lanes.
Construction on the project was led by SGL Constructors—a joint venture of Skanska, Granite, and Lane. The I-4 Ultimate project is a public-private partnership to rebuild 21 miles of I-4 in Central Florida that started in spring 2015. According to a news release from SGL Constructors, the project is considered one of the most complex and extensive transportation infrastructure projects underway in the U.S. and is the largest infrastructure project undertaken by the state of Florida to date.
“The completion of these express lanes, and earlier general use lanes, is the culmination of 21 million man-hours of dedicated work by local and industry professionals,” William McGuinness, project director of SGL Constructors, said in a statement. “With this milestone, the 21-mile corridor is now prepared for full functionality and use for the 220,000 daily visitors, businesses and residents of Central Florida using this vital interstate.”
The project has implemented advanced traffic management technology that includes traffic sensors and cameras built into the overhead sign trusses and other infrastructure, and the use of digital signs to communicate traffic information and conditions in real time. Toll pricing will be adjusted by FDOT based on traffic volume to manage congestion.
The scope of the overall I-4 Ultimate project includes rebuilding the interstate from west of Kirkman Road in Orange County, through downtown Orlando to east of S.R. 434 in Seminole County, adding the new express lanes in each direction, replacing more than 140 bridges, and reconfiguring 15 major interchanges.
To read more, check out the I-4 Express website.
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Source: Schwartz Media Strategies | SGL Constructors | Florida DOT
