ATTENTION DRIVERS: New Ramp System Opening at I-4 and Sand Lake Road as soon as May 2

Motorists are advised that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will open a new ramp system at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange as soon as Saturday morning, May 2. The new traffic pattern will give motorists traveling from westbound I-4 and westbound Sand Lake Road a more direct connection to Turkey Lake Road while improving safety and easing congestion at Central Florida’s busiest interchange.

The left turn from westbound Sand Lake Road to southbound Turkey Lake Road will be replaced by a new loop ramp, eliminating a turn movement that contributes to backups at the interchange. Drivers on westbound Sand Lake Road will be able to use the loop ramp to head north or south on Turkey Lake Road. The new ramp system will also allow motorists on westbound I-4 to exit directly to either Turkey Lake Road or Sand Lake Road at Exit 74A.

Traveling from Westbound Sand Lake Road to Turkey Lake Road

• Motorists wishing to access Turkey Lake Road south of Sand Lake Road should keep right and enter the new loop ramp just before the Turkey Lake Road intersection.
• The loop ramp will carry motorists over Sand Lake Road and end at Sand Lake Sound Road, where they can travel north or south on Turkey Lake Road.
• Once the new loop ramp opens, motorists will no longer be able to turn left from westbound Sand Lake Road to southbound Turkey Lake Road.

Traveling from Westbound I-4 (Exit 74A)

• The westbound I-4 exit ramp at Exit 74A will split into two ramps — one on the right to Sand Lake Road and one on the left to Turkey Lake Road.
• Motorists exiting to Sand Lake Road can still continue to Turkey Lake Road by turning right onto westbound Sand Lake Road and using the loop ramp.

This opening marks a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of I-4 at Sand Lake Road, an interchange that serves approximately 115,000 vehicles daily. In March 2024, FDOT converted the interchange to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI), an innovative design that increases capacity and improves safety and traffic flow by briefly shifting Sand Lake Road traffic to the opposite side of the road and eliminating left turns across oncoming traffic to access I-4. Construction on the broader project began in 2023 and is expected to continue through 2027.

As work progresses, these improvements will continue to enhance safety and provide much-needed congestion relief, helping drivers spend less time in traffic and more time at the surrounding attractions, hotels, restaurants, businesses, and neighborhoods that make this area one of Central Florida’s most popular gateways.

FDOT advises motorists to use extra caution, watch for new signage and pavement markings, and plan ahead while drivers adjust to the new traffic pattern. Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

This work is part of the ongoing improvement project to reconstruct the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange into a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and extend I-4 Express. For more information about the I-4 improvements at Sand Lake Road, visit the project website at I4Beyond.com/SandLake.

May 2