New Drone Footage Shows Progress of State Road 535 Improvements

Work continues at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Apopka-Vineland Road (State Road (S.R.) 535) improvements project, as shown in this recent drone footage. This project will partially reconstruct the interchange to enhance safety and improve access to and from westbound I-4.

The start of the video shows the two stormwater ponds that are part of the project in the middle, while the area in the foreground will be dewatered by crews as part of the ongoing drainage work at the site.

The second shot shows the recently driven piles that will support a new loop ramp entrance to westbound I-4. This loop ramp will improve safety at the interchange by eliminating a turn across traffic to access I-4.

Next, the video shows the southbound traffic shift on S.R. 535 as crews work on widening the roadway. This is followed by action footage of a bulldozer dewatering the area where the loop ramp will be constructed. Finally, the drone captured an overhead view of where the Crossroads shopping plaza once stood. This area will house the new loop ramp and stormwater runoff.

For more information on this project, visit i4beyond.com/SR535. If this area is part of your daily commute, you can sign up for advanced construction alerts here.

Pedestrian Safety is a Top Priority on I-4 Construction Projects

Crews on the Interstate 4 (I-4) construction projects prioritize pedestrian safety through a variety of measures. These measures protect those who navigate around work zones and are important to the planning, execution, and completion of construction activities. Here are some of the measures that crews incorporate to ensure pedestrian safety:

• Pedestrian pathways and safety diversions: Temporary sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks guide pedestrians safely around or through the construction zone. These temporary routes accommodate all pedestrians, including those with disabilities.
• Barrier systems: Physical barriers, such as concrete barrier walls, fencing, or water-filled barricades, separate pedestrians from construction work. These barriers are designed to prevent or discourage entry into hazardous zones and offer protection against debris or machinery that might pose a danger.
• Signage: Signs are placed ahead of construction zones to alert pedestrians to changes in their usual route. Such signage can include instructions for detours and warnings about potential hazards.
• Speed control: Temporary speed limits, speed bumps, and law enforcement help reduce vehicle speeds in construction zones. Slower speeds reduce the likelihood of crashes and give drivers and pedestrians more time to react to unexpected situations.
• Flaggers: Human oversight in the form of flaggers helps direct pedestrian traffic through construction zones. This assistance ensures that people cross safely at designated points and stop when equipment or trucks are being moved.

By incorporating these measures, construction crews effectively maintain pedestrian safety while ensuring the progression of improvement projects.

Although construction crews prioritize pedestrian safety, it is also important for pedestrians to take responsibility for their own safety. To learn about how pedestrians can stay safe in construction zones, visit i4beyond.com/stepping-safely-in-a-construction-zone.

Employee Spotlight: William Sloup, Project Administrator

Construction crews continue to work hard on both the Interstate 4 (I-4) and U.S. 17-92 interchange and the County Road (C.R.) 46A (HE Thomas Jr. Parkway) and Rinehart Road intersection projects as improvements continue along I-4 in Central Florida. However, for work to continue smoothly and with minimal issues, strong leadership is required.

William Sloup, the project administrator on both the U.S. 17-92 and C.R. 46A projects, rides and/or walks the project sites daily to verify the traffic-control devices and erosion-control measures are installed and functioning as intended. He ensures the inspectors have all the tools they need to be successful for the day; reviews the inspectors' daily work reports for completion and accuracy; and facilitates meetings as needed to ensure action items are being reviewed and responded to in a timely manner, so the contractor’s schedule is not impacted. He also coordinates with utilities and local agencies to ensure communication with the contractor. William's work on the project helps prevent potential conflicts with other nearby construction and can help the team avoid mistakes that could lead to damage to utilities or private property.

William grew up in the Orange City/DeBary area of Central Florida and attended Deland High School. He earned his associate’s degree at Seminole State College and then graduated from the University of Central Florida, where he received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

“As my college career progressed, I never found another path that sparked my interest and became more and more interested in civil engineering,” he said. “Once I graduated from Seminole State and began classes at UCF, I narrowed my focus to transportation for the logical reason that people will always need to travel, so there will always be work.”

William said he previously pictured himself going into design or project development, but this changed at a UCF engineering career fair only a few months before his graduation.

“I decided to take a leap and took interest in construction, more specifically construction engineering and inspection,” he said. “I am glad I decided to go into construction over the other two fields I was previously considering. Every day has something new and unexpected in store, and the time I spent as an inspector out in the field gave me lots of valuable hands-on experience and great memories that I will take with me for the rest of my career.”

William said one of his favorite aspects of his job is that no two projects are the same.

“The scope of work may be similar from project to project, but different contractors and different project locations offer different teams to partner and coordinate with,” he said. “This gives my career a freshness with each new project that you can’t really find in many other jobs.”

William said he takes pride in working on the U.S. 17-92 and C.R. 46A improvement projects.

“I am proud that although these two current projects are my first as a project administrator, I have been successful with developing good working relationships with all parties involved,” he said. “This has resulted in two successful projects with minimal issues or delays and relationships that will last the rest of my career.”

Outside of work, William is a husband to his wife Elena and a father of two boys, ages 3 and 2. “Most days I am building blocks, wrestling, or running outside with them,” he said of fatherhood.

In his spare time, William enjoys playing ice hockey and golf, exercising, and running, and he even got into competitive arm wrestling for a time. He also enjoys spending time with friends.

For more information on William’s projects, visit the I-4 and U.S. 17-92 interchange and the C.R. 46A and Rinehart Road intersection project pages.

FDOT Observes Child Passenger Safety Week September 15-21

You may be old enough to remember piling into the back of a station wagon with more people than the vehicle had seats. If not, you’ve probably seen it on TV. Advances in safety technology have come a long way since those days, and those safety features depend on each passenger sitting appropriately in the vehicle. This applies to adults, of course, but it especially applies to children. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the National Safety Council recognize Child Passenger Safety Week from September 15-21 — just a few weeks away.

As parents, it can be difficult to keep a child in a safe position in a moving car. They may fidget or find the restraints in their car seats uncomfortable. They may want to play games, curl up closer to mom or dad, or remove their seatbelt. Parents may remember that they did the same and are none the worse for it. But, thousands of crashes occur each year, and it is important to keep your child in the proper position in case one should occur.

For children under age 13 who are old enough to not need a car or booster seat, there is one important rule: get in the back. The front passenger seat airbags are designed for adults, and if there is a crash, the force of the airbag itself might injure a child sitting up front. Seated in the back seat, children should be secure with a standard seatbelt. The belt should rest across the shoulder and chest, not the neck. Be aware that if your child falls asleep and slumps, the belt may need to be adjusted to keep them safe.

If your child is of an age to require a car seat, it is even more critical that they be in a rear seat. You also need to be sure the car seat is the right size for your child and installed correctly. Over the years, car seat inspections have revealed that many parents think they have installed the seat correctly but have not.

Start any car seat installation by carefully reading the instructions. Pay particular attention to anchoring the tether to the correct location for forward-facing seats. If you think you need help, you can find a car seat inspection location near you by clicking here. When your child outgrows their car seat, they may need a booster seat. Find more information on car seats at the NHTSA Car Seat Guide.

This Child Passenger Safety Week, please take the opportunity to learn how to properly protect your children in the car. Then follow that advice throughout the year.