Moving I-4 Forward: Improving the I-4 Corridor in Central Florida
Florida is experiencing unprecedented population growth and welcoming record-setting numbers of annual visitors. In response, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is actively working to address infrastructure needs statewide. As part of Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, a series of projects in Central Florida are being expedited along I-4 from west of U.S. 27 in Polk County to east of S.R. 536 in Orange County and to construct the new Poinciana Connector (S.R. 538). Dubbed Moving I-4 Forward, these projects will provide congestion relief up to 15 years sooner than originally scheduled and will improve mobility, increase safety, enhance the quality of life for the community, and ensure the resiliency of the transportation system in the future.
I-4 Projects in Osceola County, Polk County, and Orange County
How will FDOT improve the I-4 corridor in northern Polk County, Osceola County, and southern Orange County? The Department will undertake a series of projects all designed to address congestion on one of the state’s busiest roadways. These projects will widen nearly 15 miles of I-4 in Osceola and Polk counties from six lanes to ten lanes, including managed express lanes for those wishing to avoid high-traffic areas of the corridor. The addition of express lanes will help reduce congestion for all traveling along I-4 in the project area. In addition, the Moving I-4 Forward projects will include improvements to interchanges on I-4 in northern Polk County, Osceola County, and southern Orange County that will reduce back-ups and congestion along entrance and exit ramps
The new Poinciana Connector will complete the missing link in the Poinciana Parkway between ChampionsGate Boulevard and the I-4/Daniel Webster Western Beltway interchange. The Poinciana Connector is a new limited access facility with six general use lanes (three lanes in each direction) expandable to eight lanes (four lanes in each direction) to match the proposed Central Florida Expressway (CFX) project south of ChamptionsGate.
As FDOT works to improve the I-4 corridor in Central Florida, the Department will specifically work to provide congestion relief for commuters, tourists, and freight traffic as well as improving safety for all motorists. The Moving I-4 Forward projects will include:
- Reduced Congestion on I-4
- FDOT will widen I-4 in Osceola and Polk counties from six lanes to ten lanes, providing much-needed congestion relief.
- In addition, some of the lanes will be managed express lanes, providing dedicated lanes for motorists wishing to travel avoid areas of frequent congestion.
- Improved Interchanges on I-4
- Improvements to interchanges on I-4 in Polk, Osceola, and Orange counties will reduce back-ups and congestion along entrance and exit ramps at the following locations:
- U.S. 27
- ChampionsGate Boulevard
- Daniel Webster Western Beltway and the new Poinciana Connector
- World Drive
- Central Florida Greeneway
- U.S. 192/West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
- West Osceola Parkway
- Epcot Center/World Drive
- Improvements to interchanges on I-4 in Polk, Osceola, and Orange counties will reduce back-ups and congestion along entrance and exit ramps at the following locations:
- Enhanced Safety on I-4
- Reconfigured interchanges will reduce traffic back-up along ramps and reduce the likelihood of rear-end crashes.
- Express lanes will improve overall traffic flow and reduce the number of congestion-related crashes.
- Milling and resurfacing will improve friction courses and reduce rutting to increase traction, especially during wet or slippery conditions.
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