I-4’s ‘flyover’ ramps are now complete at 408 interchange
Work is crucial part of reconstruction effort on interstate
After five years of dust, detours and clanging pile drivers, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stood on an unblemished “flyover” ramp connecting a rebuilt section of Interstate 4 and State Road 408, declaring the interchange complete.
Of the $2.4 billion overhaul of 21 miles of I-4, DOT labels the junction of the region’s two busiest roads as the signature and most costly part of an overall project slated to be finished at the end of 2021.
The layered tapestry of concrete ramps at the southwest corner of downtown Orlando was designed for drivers to maintain highways speeds as they transition at varying heights above the ground between the two expressways.
DeSantis made his announcement from atop the about-to-open ramp from westbound I-4 to eastbound S.R. 408, a swooping lane that will provide drivers with new and dramatic views of the city amid a panorama of heavy traffic in all directions.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, I-4 through Orlando carried an average of 200,000 vehicles daily.
“This S.R. 408 interchange is the busiest of the portion of the I-4 Ultimate project,” DeSantis said. “It will improve safety, ease the movement of commerce and most importantly enhance Central Floridians commutes.”
Of eight ramps connecting the two roads, two opened last year: westbound and eastbound S.R. 408 to eastbound I-4. Another ramp will not be available to traffic until this summer: westbound S.R. 408 to westbound I-4.
The other five ramps are opening in stages, starting this weekend and continuing through the night for the start of Tuesday morning’s rushhour traffic. Those ramps are replacing vintage designs that often brought traffic to a standstill.
With a vulture soaring overhead and a Bobcat mini-dozer chugging behind him, DeSantis said COVID-19 sheltering across the state offered a window “as an opportunity to get ahead” by accelerating road construction projects.
As part of that initiative, the Florida Department of Transportation closed westbound I-4 to one lane through Orlando from Thursday night to Monday morning, stalling traffic all the way back to Fairbanks Avenue at times but enabling a shift to permanent lanes.
DeSantis said accelerating work on I-4 Ultimate shaved