Florida Construction News staff writer
Six additional miles of roadway are set to open on Interstate 4 (I-4) by the end of April —one in each direction between U.S. 27 in Polk County and World Drive in Osceola County.
Construction was completed about eight months earlier than originally scheduled.
The early opening is part of the Moving I-4 Forward initiative, a program under the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) aimed at addressing ongoing congestion issues along a 14-mile stretch of the highway. The lanes will remain accessible to drivers even as additional construction continues in the area.
Through the Modified Phased Design-Build contracting process, the Accelerated Start project will be completed quickly, further expediting the delivery of the Moving I-4 Forward Program and allowing other projects within the program to be constructed. This unprecedented and innovative method will allow for multiple teams to collaborate on the design and expedite construction to bring congestion relief sooner than traditional build methods.
FDOT is also expediting full-build work at the C.R. 532 and World Drive interchanges and preparing to launch more projects along the 14-mile corridor from U.S. 27 in Polk County to S.R. 536 in Orange County. Improvements include two new express lanes and one general use lane in each direction, interchange upgrades, bridge work, resurfacing, and added safety features. These improvements will enhance traffic flow, safety, and regional connectivity—creating a continuous express lane system from Seminole County to Polk County and boosting Florida’s economy.
Looking forward, FDOT is advancing three major projects, including the new Poinciana Connector, which will begin construction and finalizing engineering this summer—two years sooner than anticipated. This new roadway connection will link I-4 to S.R. 429 and the future Central Florida Expressway facility, serving one of Osceola and Polk Counties’ fastest-growing areas.
Engineering work is also underway for the Poinciana Connector, a future roadway that will eventually link I-4 with State Road 429. Construction on that project is expected to begin this summer, ahead of earlier timelines.
For updates, visit MovingI4Forward.com.
