On December 13, 2024, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hosted engineers from the International Road Federation (IRF) for a visit to the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Daryl Carter Parkway interchange project site. The event gave the visiting engineers a look into the construction progress at Daryl Carter Parkway and highlighted the ways FDOT is improving roadways in Central Florida.

The IRF engineers, representing a variety of countries such as Uruguay and Saint Lucia, met the construction team at the project trailers for a comprehensive presentation. They were shown an overview of the project, drone footage of the construction progress, and time-lapse footage of a traditional interchange being converted to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) — similar to the Daryl Carter Parkway project’s final configuration. The visuals gave the engineers a detailed look at the interchange’s design, functionality, and the progress of the project to date.

“The visit gives us the chance to show international engineers what we’re working on and how our projects improve traffic and safety,” said Ryan Flipse, District Five construction engineer for the FDOT Orlando Operations Center. “It’s also a great way to share ideas and learn from each other to make transportation better for everyone.”

After the presentation, the engineers were given hard hats and reflective vests to join the team at the construction site and learn more about the project. The team at the work zone discussed the benefits of a DDI and how its design reduces conflict points by eliminating left turns at traffic signals. The team also explained how this new interchange will provide access to I-4 with the addition of new exit ramps from both directions and a new eastbound I-4 entrance ramp.

FDOT public information consultants were on site to provide an overview of outreach efforts to community stakeholders and to explain how keeping the public informed is vital to the project’s success. The engineers were able to walk around the construction site and get answers to their questions about the project throughout the visit.

FDOT is proud to work with the IRF to share ideas and knowledge with transportation professionals from around the world, helping to create safer and smarter ways to travel.