FDOT Open House on June 26 Offers Info on Design Plans for Daryl Carter Pkwy., Sand Lake Rd.

Visit an informational open house on June 26 to learn more about planned improvements at the I-4 interchanges of Sand Lake Road (State Road 482) and Daryl Carter Parkway.

The public is invited to learn more about design plans for improvements to the Interstate 4 (I-4) interchanges at Daryl Carter Parkway and Sand Lake Road (State Road 482) at an informational open house.

The open house runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, at the Rosen Jewish Community Center (JCC) at 11184 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando.

The FDOT team will be available to answer questions and explain the proposed improvements with the help of large display maps, a video presentation and informational handouts. The goal of the design projects is to improve mobility and safety by reducing congestion on I-4 in south Orange County and adjacent roadways.

The I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway design project includes:

• Converting the Daryl Carter Parkway overpass into a diverging diamond interchange.
• Adding eastbound I-4 entrance and exit ramps and a westbound I-4 exit ramp at the new interchange. The westbound I-4 entrance ramp will be constructed at a later time with the final configuration.

The I-4 and Sand Lake Road design project includes:

• Reconstructing I-4 general use lanes from west of Sand Lake Road to the end of the I-4 Ultimate project, west of Kirkman Road (State Road 435).
• Reconstructing the Sand Lake Road interchange into a diverging diamond interchange with a loop ramp to Turkey Lake Road.

For more information about I-4 Beyond the Ultimate and the proposed design plans for Interstate 4 (I-4) interchange improvements at Daryl Carter Parkway and Sand Lake Road, visit i4beyond.com.

Innovative Diverging Diamond Interchanges Enhance Safety, Efficiency

Several Interstate 4 (I-4) interchanges will feature an innovative roadway design that will be new to the Orlando metro area.

Known as a diverging diamond interchange (DDI), the configuration has been proven to increase mobility and safety by temporarily switching drivers to the opposite side of the road, so that vehicles can make left turns onto interstates without worrying about crossing in front of oncoming traffic.

Though differing from the typical roadway arrangement, the driving paths of a DDI are easy to follow. To drive through a DDI on a local road, proceed through the traffic light and continue in your lane as it shifts to the left side of the road. As you drive on the left side, simply turn left onto the ramp and merge onto the highway. You do not have to cross in front of oncoming traffic. Those who don’t need to turn left onto the interstate will be guided back to their usual side of the roadway.

The new design is as safe as a traditional interchange for pedestrians and bicyclists.

This improvement increases the efficiency of the interchange, allowing more vehicles to enter and exit the interstate. It also reduces the number of traffic signal phases from four to two, so lights stay green longer, and more vehicles can travel through the interchange. Additionally, the DDI increases safety because it reduces the number of vehicle-to-vehicle conflict points, which decreases the number and severity of crashes.

I-4’s first DDIs will be built at the Sand Lake Road (State Road 482) and Daryl Carter Parkway interchanges. Additional DDIs are planned for the County Road (C.R.) 532, Lake Mary Boulevard, C.R. 46A, and State Road 472 interchanges.

For more information on the Sand Lake Road and Daryl Carter Parkway projects, you are invited to attend an informational open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, regarding proposed design plans for improvements to both interchanges. The open house will be held at the Rosen Jewish Community Center (JCC) at 11184 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando.

For more about DDIs on I-4 Beyond the Ultimate, visit the Special Features page on I4Beyond.com.

New Florida Law Means No Texting While Driving and No Handheld Cellphones in Work Zones

A new Florida law that aims to improve road safety has a special significance for those who drive through the many work zones located within the I-4 Ultimate and I-4 Beyond the Ultimate projects.

The law, which takes effect July 1, makes texting while driving a primary offense. That means law enforcement officers may pull over drivers on suspicion of texting and driving. Previously, officers could only cite a driver for texting as a secondary offense. That is, they could only write a ticket for texting if it was discovered after first witnessing the driver disobeying another traffic law, such as running a red light or speeding.

The new law also makes it illegal to use a handheld cellphone while driving in a work or school zone. The aim of that part of the statute is to lessen the likelihood of distracted drivers riding through those areas and, thus, increase the safety of construction workers, school children, and others.

A first offense results in a $30 fine. It jumps to $60 for a second offense. The new law starts on July 1, but to educate the public, officers will only write out warnings for these violations. However, on Jan. 1, 2020, the fines take effect.