An essential part of the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange project is taking shape along I-4 as crews construct new bridges. Two of these bridges will support a new loop ramp that will move motorists more efficiently from westbound Sand Lake Road to Turkey Lake Road. A third new bridge will support a new westbound I-4 entrance ramp that will pass over the loop ramp along the freeway. Once the new westbound I-4 entrance ramp opens, crews will demolish the existing ramp.

Roadway bridge construction is a complex, multi-stage process. First, crews drive piles into the ground to construct the initial structure of the bridge. Once the piles are in place, the team builds foundations and columns, then sets beams on top of the support columns. The next step is to pour a concrete deck on top of the beams. This deck serves as the base layer for the driving surface of the new bridge. In April, crews poured the deck for the first of two loop ramp bridges, with the deck pour for the second loop ramp bridge planned for early 2025.

Earlier this month, crews completed a deck pour for the I-4 westbound entrance ramp bridge — a major milestone for the ramp. Crews poured approximately 350 cubic yards of concrete delivered to the site in 37 truckloads.

The construction team is working hard to finish the road surface of the new bridge so it can be connected to Sand Lake Road and westbound I-4 in the future.

The project is estimated to be completed in 2027. For more information on improvements at I-4 and Sand Lake Road, visit I4beyond.com/SandLake. If this area is part of your daily commute, you can sign up for construction alerts here.