Informational Open House Will Update Public on Construction at Sand Lake Road, Daryl Carter Parkway

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will host an informational open house regarding project plans on the Interstate 4 (I-4) interchange projects at Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) and Daryl Carter Parkway on Wednesday, March 6, and Thursday, March 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The virtual meeting will take place on March 6 and the in-person meeting will be held March 7.

The purpose of these projects is to provide operational and safety improvements to the I-4 corridor at these interchanges in southern Orange County and to extend I-4 Express from the existing express lanes near Kirkman Road to west of S.R. 536. The public meeting is being held to present information and receive community feedback.

One of the most important aspects of the informational open house will be to inform the public about a new traffic pattern coming soon to the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange. The interchange will be reconfigured in the coming weeks as a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). This initial phase of the DDI is necessary to allow work crews space to complete overhead work on the overpass, reconstruct I-4’s general use lanes, and extend I-4 Express.

The initial phase of the DDI is expected to be in place for two to three years, with the final configuration opening when 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.

An initial DDI, like the one shown that was recently in place at ChampionsGate, is coming soon to Sand Lake Road. Note that motorists follow the pavement markings to cross over to the left side of the roadway at the traffic signal.

FDOT urges drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to be patient during this phase of construction. Please keep in mind that this new traffic pattern will move traffic to the opposite side of the road at the first traffic light, eliminating left turns across traffic to access I-4, and will move traffic back onto the right side of the road at the second light. Be sure to obey pavement markings and signage and to avoid distracted driving throughout the work zone.

The DDI will be bordered with orange traffic barrels during this phase of construction. Be aware that during this 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.

FDOT encourages community involvement and is offering the upcoming informational open house in person and virtually to provide more ways to participate. All attendees, regardless of which platform they choose, will receive the same information.

• 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 on Thursday, March 7, any time 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. If you are feeling unwell, please consider attending the meeting virtually or by phone.
• Virtual Option: Interested persons may join over the Internet from a computer, tablet, or mobile device to see a looping video presentation on Wednesday, March 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 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. If using a mobile device, use the GoToWebinar app to be able to view the presentation and submit comments. If joining online, please allow adequate time to log in to view the presentation in its entirety.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can view all meeting materials, including the presentation, and provide comment through the project website at I4Beyond.com.

Interstate 4 Resurfacing Underway in Osceola County

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is bringing further improvements to Interstate 4 (I-4) in Osceola County, as crews work on milling and resurfacing both directions of I-4 between World Drive and the Orange County line. This construction, which is part of the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate program, started in February.

The project calls for the milling and resurfacing of the travel lanes to extend the life of the existing roadway and to help traffic flow more safely and smoothly. Exit and entrance ramps at the I-4 interchanges at U.S. 192 and Osceola Parkway will also be repaved, adding new pavement marking and signage upgrades. Additionally, crews will install and connect portions of two traffic monitoring sites within the project limits.

To keep the ride on I-4 smooth, resurfacing is necessary if other methods of restoration cannot repair the roadway or when the asphalt service has reached the end of its life. The milling and resurfacing of I-4 in Osceola County is improving Central Florida’s transportation infrastructure.

Motorists traveling through this area can expect intermittent nightly lane closures as the project progresses and should remain alert and use caution when driving through work zones. Always follow the posted speed limit and avoid distractions to ensure the construction crews can safely complete their tasks. Sign up to stay updated on construction activities with our I-4 Advance Construction Alert System by visiting I4Beyond.com/alerts.

Vehicle Safety Recalls Week Approaching

This year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recognizes March 4 through March 10 as Vehicle Safety Recalls Week. Staying aware of safety recalls is key to ensuring your motor vehicle is safe to operate on our state roadways, and there are many ways to keep yourself informed. NHTSA urges motorists to check twice per year for safety recalls for their vehicles or automotive equipment (such as airbags, bike racks, roof racks, etc.).

In 2022, there were 1,050 safety incident recalls that affected more than 31 million vehicles and other motor-vehicle-related equipment in the United States.

To help keep yourself and loved ones safe inside and outside your vehicle, use NHTSA’s free user-friendly recall look-up tool. At nhtsa.gov/recalls, motorists can check if there are open safety recalls for their vehicles by entering their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This tool can provide details on any unrepaired recalls for your vehicle for at least the past 15 calendar years. This includes details on unrepaired safety recalls from major auto makers and manufacturers.

Need help finding your VIN on your vehicle?

• Look for the 17-character VIN on the lower left of your car's windshield.
• Check the label inside your driver-side doorjamb.
• You may also find your VIN on your vehicle’s registration or your insurance documents.

You can also sign up for recall alerts at odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/subscriptions, which will alert you via email if your vehicle is included in a future recall. NHTSA is hosting this week to coincide with daylight saving time, which begins on March 10, as this is the perfect time of year to remember to check your vehicle for safety recalls. Be sure to spring forward, check for recalls, and remember that safe cars save lives.

I-4 Project at John Young Parkway is Complete

Improvements to the westbound Interstate 4 (I-4) exit ramp to John Young Parkway and LB McLeod Road were completed in late January. The project’s goal was to alleviate congestion and merging traffic conflicts on John Young Parkway (County Road (C.R.) 423) north of the I-4 interchange.

To improve safety for vehicles traveling to eastbound LB McLeod Road, the exit ramp to the traffic signal has been widened to include designated right and left turns onto John Young Parkway. The purpose of modifying the ramp was to prevent vehicles from crossing over lanes of traffic of John Young Parkway to eastbound LB McLeod Road. Crews accomplished this by constructing a raised concrete traffic separator on the existing loop ramp to westbound LB McLeod Road.

Other improvements for motorists and pedestrians include upgraded signals featuring “Smart Signal” technology, which will provide real-time data and video information to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Additional pedestrian upgrades include updated curb ramps to fulfill Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and a new pedestrian median has been added on the north side of the John Young Parkway and LB McLeod Road intersection.

FDOT has also upgraded signage and pavement markings and installed wrong way vehicle detection systems on the westbound I-4 exit ramp. Construction crews milled and resurfaced southbound John Young Parkway and the westbound I-4 exit ramp and improved the drainage in the project limits. Lighting has been upgraded for the westbound I-4 exit ramp crosswalks and the right turn lanes to westbound LB McLeod Road by relocating the existing light pole on the westbound exit ramp island.