U.S. 27 Accelerated Congestion Relief
at the Interchange with Interstate 4

POLK COUNTY

The Interstate 4 (I-4) and U.S. 27 interchange is one of the busiest across the state. Building on the successful effort that opened the I-4 congestion relief lanes in April 2025, the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) landmark Moving I-4 Forward Program is applying the same concept to accelerate congestion relief at I-4 and U.S. 27 in Polk County.
 
Construction is kicking off in early summer 2026 at this critical interchange for a series of enhancements that include opening one additional travel lane on U.S. 27 southbound in the I-4 interchange area, reconfiguring the intersection at Posner Boulevard/Home Run Boulevard, and more. The FDOT has fast-tracked this project to provide efficient congestion relief and safety enhancements to improve quality of life for residents, local businesses, and the tens of thousands who drive the area every day.
Project Benefits

• Improves motorist safety at the I-4 westbound exit by reducing congestion
• Reduced travel and wait times, especially
at the I-4 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 27 and at the U.S. 27 and Posner Blvd./Home Run Blvd. intersection
• Enhances pedestrian safety

Construction Schedule
U.S. 27 Accelerated Congestion Relief
Construction Complete: Late 2026
What to Expect
• Temporary pavement markings, signage, and signalization
• Nightly lane closures on U.S. 27
• Safe, efficient, and noticeable progress
RCUTs Explained
As part of the improvements to provide accelerated congestion relief to U.S. 27, a Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT) configuration is planned at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Posner Blvd./Home Run Blvd. According to the Federal Highway Administration, RCUT designs can increase roadway capacity by up to 30 percent and reduce travel times by up to 40 percent, making them an effective solution for high-volume corridors.
 
Using an RCUT design, the Posner Blvd./Home Run Blvd. intersection will redirect left-turn movements and crossings from side streets by requiring a right turn followed by a U-turn at a designated signalized median opening on either side of the intersection. This efficient design not only cuts travel and delay times but also improves safety by reducing conflict points between pedestrians and vehicles.
How Does an RCUT Affect Pedestrian Travel?

An RCUT intersection enhances safety by allowing pedestrians to cross U.S. 27 diagonally (known as a Z-crossing), with the center median acting as an area away from traffic. This keeps pedestrians out of the path of vehicles turning left from U.S. 27 onto side streets, as well as vehicles turning right from side streets.