Progress Continues at I-4 and County Road 532 Interchange
The construction of the diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and County Road (C.R.) 532 interchange near ChampionsGate is progressing smoothly. With that progress, some significant changes are coming to the area within the project limits.
Pond excavation and drainage continue at the southwest corner of the interchange. The pond is an essential part of this construction project as it will collect and retain runoff water in the area, which helps filter out pollutants.
Motorists should be advised that there has been a traffic shift on the eastbound I-4 exit ramp to C.R. 532 to maintain the flow of traffic at the exit. Motorists driving in this area should remain alert, follow local road signs, and watch their speed.
Construction of the DDI is estimated to be completed in early 2023.
For more information on the planned improvements on I-4 in Osceola County, visit I4Beyond.com/ChampionsGate.
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Quiz: When You See Flashing Lights, Move Over — It's the Law
As construction continues at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and County Road (C.R.) 532 interchange, remember Florida’s Move Over law. The law requires motorists to move over a lane – when it is safe to do so – for emergency and service vehicles stopped along the roadway.
Drivers must move over for law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, and utility service vehicles; tow trucks or wreckers; and maintenance or construction vehicles. If you are not able to safely move over, you must slow to a speed that is 20 mph less than that posted speed limit. When the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less, you must slow down to 5 mph.
The roadside is a dangerous work environment. Failure to yield or move over puts law enforcement officers, emergency first responders, and construction workers in danger while they are on the job protecting and serving Florida residents and visitors.
So what should you do next time you see flashing lights? It’s simple – move over! Take our quiz to test your knowledge of Florida’s Move Over Law.
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Upcoming Public Meeting for I-4 Improvements in Orange County
You’re invited to an upcoming public meeting regarding project plans on Interstate 4 (I-4) improvements in Orange County, including the Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange, Daryl Carter Parkway partial interchange improvements, and extensions to I-4 managed lanes, on Thursday, February 10, at 5 p.m.
The purpose of these projects is to provide operational and safety improvements to the I-4 corridor in southern Orange County. The public meeting is being held to present information and receive community feedback. These projects include:
- Reconstructing the I-4 general use lanes and extending I-4 managed lanes from west of the Sand Lake Road and I-4 interchange to the end of the I-4 Ultimate project, west of Kirkman Road (S.R. 435).
- Reconstructing the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange into a diverging diamond interchange (DDI).
- Adding a single, buffer-delineated westbound managed lane extension from west of Central Florida Parkway to west of the Sand Lake Road and I-4 interchange.
- Reconfiguring the Daryl Carter Parkway overpass as a DDI and constructing new I-4 exits from both directions to Daryl Carter Parkway, as well as a new eastbound I-4 entrance ramp.
- Adding a single, buffer-delineated westbound managed lane extension from west of Daryl Carter Parkway to west of Central Florida Parkway.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is offering multiple ways for the community to participate in the meeting. All participants, regardless of the platform they choose, will participate in the same live meeting.
Virtual Option: Interested persons may join the Virtual Public Meeting (VPM) from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. A VPM is a free live presentation or webinar over the internet. For this option, advance registration is required by visiting fdot.tips/i4meeting. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting online. Please note, Internet Explorer cannot be used to register or attend this webinar. If joining online, please provide adequate log-in time to view the presentation in its entirety.
Phone Option (Listen Only): Participants may join the meeting in listen-only mode by dialing 562-247-8321 and entering the passcode 557-860-742 when prompted.
In-Person Open House Option: Participants may attend in person by going to the Rosen Event Center, 11184 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32836 anytime between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to view a looping presentation and project displays, speak with project team members, and submit comments or questions.
If attending in person, please remember to follow all safety and sanitation guidelines as well as adhere to any local ordinances. If you are feeling unwell, please consider attending the meeting virtually or by phone.
All meeting materials, including the presentation, will be available on the project website at I4beyond.com prior to the meeting.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, at Jennifer.Smith2@dot.state.fl.us.
Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact David Parks, Community Outreach Specialist at 844-858-4636 or DavidParks@i4ultimate.com at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
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Employee Spotlight: Dan Barbato,
Senior Project Administrator for Construction, Engineering, and Inspection
To succeed in Construction, Engineering and Inspection (CEI), Dan Barbato says it’s crucial to know about many facets of construction from soil to concrete to steel, and all the ways they interact during building.
It’s also vital to be a skilled negotiator.
Negotiating may not be a primary duty, but it’s a constant one. CEI inspectors often find themselves trying to work out differences between owners, contractors, nearby businesses, concerned residents, and government officials.
Barbato acquired his expert knowledge during 43 years in the business. “When I started, I tested concrete every day for two years,” he said. “Then I tested soil every day for two years.”
As for the negotiating, he learned that at home, growing up in a large family.
“I was the youngest of seven children,” Barbato said. “If I saw something I wanted, I had to talk you into giving it to me.” He didn’t always succeed right away, but he learned if you want to borrow a ball or a bike, don’t give up.
Fortunately, while growing up on a family farm in Rochester, New York, there was always something for the seven siblings to barter over like trading chores when picking corn, apples, pears, tomatoes and peppers, or tending to cattle and chickens.
While he didn’t have to learn negotiating from books, he is still constantly learning about the latest construction techniques, newest materials, and how to pass that knowledge to other inspectors. His natural knack for math helps.
“We’re here to make sure that materials are good, the process is safe, and that everybody gets paid on time for work done properly,” said Barbato, senior project administrator at Consor Engineers.
These days, his team is focusing on Interstate 4 around ChampionsGate, where the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is transforming the County Road 532 interchange into a diverging diamond interchange. He’s excited to be part of something still relatively new to Florida.
Barbato’s journey to Florida began during his last years of high school when his parents decided to retire to Labelle near Fort Myers after the other six children had left the family farm in upstate New York.
While his two daughters were growing up, Barbato enjoyed pointing out projects he helped inspect. Today, he enjoys showing some of the same sites to his grandkids. He likes to tell them about standing atop the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and looking down 430 feet over a sparkling Tampa Bay.
“Every project is unique,” he said. “It's still fun. It’s still exciting.”
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