Crews Pour Decks for New Bridges at Sand Lake Road Interchange

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.

Road Rangers to the Rescue

Click on image above to view video.

Motorists on Central Florida’s insterstates and roads can call *FHP (*347) to request a Road Ranger if they're involved in a minor crash or experiencing car trouble on the side of the road. The Road Ranger Service Patrol provides limited, no-cost highway assistance to motorists to improve highway safety for emergency responders and the traveling public.

Whether you need help with a flat tire, jump-start, or have run out of gas, diesel, or water, Road Rangers are ready to offer their support. They also provide two free local calls and can assist with relocating disabled vehicles to safer locations.

Additionally, Road Rangers provide vital maintenance of traffic (MOT) during roadway incidents. These MOT activities may include placing traffic cones, turning on vehicle lights, and using changeable message signs mounted on their vehicles. Such methods alert drivers to an incident, remind motorists to adhere to Florida’s Move Over Law, and direct traffic around a blocked lane or a vehicle on the shoulder.

When you call *347, you will need to communicate which roadway you are on, which direction you were travelling, and the last known area or exit you passed.

If you see a Road Ranger, emergency personnel, or a disabled vehicle on the roadside, remember to obey Florida's Move Over Law. When safe, move over a lane. If it is impossible to change lanes safely, slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

The Road Ranger Service Patrol is funded by FDOT. Central Florida’s Road Rangers patrol I-4, I-4 Express, I-95, I-75, Central Florida Expressway (CFX) roadways, and Florida’s Turnpike. For more information about the Road Ranger Service Patrol, visit fdot.gov/traffic/roadrangers. To view all roads that Road Rangers patrol in Florida, visit this page.

Click the photo above to see a short video of Road Rangers in action.

January is Move Over, Florida Month

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), state officials, and first responders recognize January as Move Over, Florida Month to increase awareness of the need to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency or disabled vehicle on the side of the road. By moving over one lane, you give law enforcement, emergency first responders, and other service vehicles the space they need to work safely and reduce the risk of a secondary incident.

Last year, Florida expanded its Move Over Law to include disabled vehicles. Prior to the expansion, the law only required motorists to move over or slow down for law enforcement, emergency responders, sanitation vehicles, and utility vehicles with displayed warning lights.

Through November, there were 170 crashes statewide in 2024 caused by motorists failing to obey the Move Over Law. These crashes resulted in one death and 10 serious injuries. Such crashes and loss of life could have been avoided had the drivers involved followed Florida’s Move Over Law. According to the FLHSMV, more than 15,000 motorists were cited for violating Florida’s Move Over Law from the beginning of January through the end of November.

The law requires motorists to slow down to 20 mph under the posted speed limit if they cannot safely move over due to heavy traffic or if they are traveling on a two-lane road. When the speed limit is 20 mph or lower, motorists must slow down to 5 mph when passing an emergency or disabled vehicle.

Failing to move over or slow down jeopardizes drivers and their passengers, first responders, and roadside workers. Violations will result in a fine, fees, and points on a motorist’s driving record. To learn more about Florida’s Move Over Law, visit flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over.

Employee Spotlight: Chic Severance, Structures Project Administrator

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews are hard at work reconstructing the Interstate 4 (I-4) at Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange. This critical gateway along Florida’s tourism corridor serves millions of drivers per year, highlighting the importance of this improvement project. The numerous structures, including seven new bridges, are key aspects of this work.

Chic Severance serves as the structures project administrator for the project, overseeing the inspection staff for all bridge construction. Severance provides leadership and support for the field inspection staff while also managing structures submittals, including pile installation and beam erection plans. He also manages field records and foundation certifications to ensure that all involved parties work efficiently and in a timely manner on structures throughout the project. He evaluates any potential construction issues as they arise and monitors crews' progress.

“I embrace the daily surprises that are a part of construction,” Severance said. “On heavy roadway construction projects there are daily opportunities to learn something new.”

Severance started working in the construction industry in 1985 and has taken on various roles throughout his nearly 40-year career. He began his career working for testing labs and as a consultant to FDOT, performing inspections at production facilities that fabricate bridge components and structure elements. In his work as an inspector, Severance reported directly to FDOT field leadership. He shifted to the construction engineering and inspection (CEI) world in 1998, and he has since completed multiple large-scale projects.

Some of the marquee projects that Severance has worked on include the first phase of the S.R. 429 construction in Apopka; the Broadway Bridge replacement in Daytona Beach; the I-95/I-295/S.R. 9A interchange in Jacksonville; the S.R. 408 toll plaza improvements in Orlando; the S.S. Jolley bridge replacement in Marco Island; I-595 Express in Fort Lauderdale; the Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike (HEFT) in Kendall; and I-4 Ultimate in Orlando.

“I have always liked the fact that the construction field is ever changing to meet new challenges,” Severance said. “The industry consistently introduces new methods and materials as well as design concepts that improve the efficiency of Department facilities.”

Outside of work, Severance spends his time with his family, including his three children and nine grandchildren. He enjoys road-tripping and embracing small-town America with his wife whenever the opportunity to travel arises.