New Ramp System Provides Easier Access to Turkey Lake Road

Do you travel to Turkey Lake Road south of where it intersects with Sand Lake Road? If so, your commute just got better! The new loop ramp system at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange opened early Saturday morning, May 2, marking a major milestone for the improvement project. The loop ramp system provides a direct connection to Turkey Lake Road from I-4, while improving safety and easing congestion in one of Central Florida’s busiest interchanges.

This exciting milestone brings a few traffic pattern changes with it. The loop ramp replaced the left turn from westbound Sand Lake Road to southbound Turkey Lake Road, eliminating a turn movement and a traffic signal phase that contributed to congestion and backups at the interchange. Now, drivers traveling on westbound Sand Lake Road who want to access Turkey Lake Road keep right and enter the new loop ramp just before the Turkey Lake Road intersection.

Once on the new ramp, drivers will cross over Sand Lake Road and continue to a signal at the intersection of Turkey Lake Road and Sand Lake Sound Road. From there, motorists can turn left at the signal to continue south on Turkey Lake Road or turn right and head north to access the nearby shopping plaza.

Motorists traveling west on I-4 who are heading to Turkey Lake Road can now bypass Sand Lake Road with the new ramp system, reducing the number of vehicles using the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange. Exit 74A offers drivers the choice to keep left and exit directly to Turkey Lake Road or keep right to access Sand Lake Road.

This new connection to Turkey Lake Road is already helping ease congestion at an interchange that services approximately 115,000 vehicles daily. While this new system will help with congestion and improve safety, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reminds drivers that this area is still an active construction zone. Use caution, watch for new signage, follow pavement markings and plan ahead while everyone adjusts to the new traffic pattern.

To learn more about the progress at the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange improvement project, visit I4Beyond.com/SandLake and click the thumbnail above to watch a short video showing the new features of the ramp.