A new traffic pattern began early Saturday, March 9 at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange. The interchange, a vital gateway to one of Central Florida’s busiest tourist areas, was modified to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). This is part of the ongoing Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to improve safety and reduce congestion through the area.

A DDI is an innovative type of interchange that has been shown to improve safety, increase traffic efficiency, and be cost-effective. Unlike a conventional interchange, this new traffic pattern now moves traffic on Sand Lake Road to the opposite side of the road at a first traffic light, eliminating left turns across traffic to access I-4, and then moves traffic back onto the right side of Sand Lake Road at a second traffic light.

Signs, new roadway striping, and orange barrels guide drivers on the correct path to follow through the DDI on Sand Lake Road. FDOT urges drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to be patient during this phase of construction. All motorists are urged to avoid distractions, follow posted signage, and drive safely throughout the work zone. Be aware that during this phase of construction, pedestrians traveling either eastbound or westbound will be limited to one walkway at a time, either on the north or south side of Sand Lake Road. Pedestrians should follow all posted signage and cross only at the designated crosswalks.

While the Sand Lake Road DDI is now open, the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange will continue to undergo improvements until its anticipated completion in 2027. Implementing the Sand Lake Road DDI during the project’s construction phase gives crews space to work in the median of Sand Lake Road. Crews need this room to reconstruct the I-4 general use lanes and extend I-4 Express — the two tolled managed lanes in each direction in the center of I-4 — over Sand Lake Road.

This project will extend the two westbound I-4 Express lanes from west of Kirkman Road to west of Sand Lake Road. These two express lanes will transition to a single express lane from west of Sand Lake Road to west of Central Florida Parkway. This will be part of a single westbound express lane that will be constructed in three separate projects, with the finished lane extending from west of Sand Lake Road to west of S.R. 536.

The active construction phase of the Sand Lake Road DDI is expected to be in place for two to three years, until a new loop ramp to Turkey Lake Road is completed. The new loop ramp will ultimately replace the current left turn across traffic from westbound Sand Lake Road onto southbound Turkey Lake Road. When the loop ramp is completed, motorists will also be able to exit I-4 at Exit 74A either to Sand Lake Road or directly onto Turkey Lake Road.

I-4 is the region’s transportation backbone and is a vital piece of the overall transportation network in Central Florida. The FDOT is working closely with hotels and businesses in the area to ensure motorists can continue to enjoy safe and reliable choices when they travel, maintaining this heavily traveled gateway to theme parks, shopping, resorts, and more.

For more information, including renderings and videos, or to learn more about how to navigate the new DDI, please visit I4Beyond.com/SandLake.