The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the new Interstate 4 (I-4) interchange at Daryl Carter Parkway in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 19, marking a significant milestone in Central Florida infrastructure. The new interchange provides motorists with additional access to local residences, attractions, I-Drive, shopping outlets, and restaurants. It is also expected to help relieve congestion at the nearby I-4 interchanges at Apopka-Vineland Road (State Road (S.R.) 535), Central Florida Parkway, and Sand Lake Road (S.R. 482).

Around 3 a.m. on July 19, construction crews uncovered overhead signs and cleared barrels, cones, and directional signs before opening three new ramps — exit ramps from both directions of I-4 and an eastbound entrance ramp — providing direct access between I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway. Law enforcement personnel positioned themselves at each ramp to ensure the safety of motorists using the new interchange. With the ramps now open, crews will finish project cleanup and move toward completion of the project later this summer.

Florida's newest DDI improves safety, increases traffic efficiency, and is cost-effective. Unlike a conventional interchange, the DDI briefly moves vehicles on Daryl Carter Parkway to the left side of the road at a traffic signal, eliminating left turns across traffic and reducing the frequency and severity of crashes. Traffic moves back to the right side of Daryl Carter Parkway at a second signal. With no left turn signal phase, a DDI can move nearly twice as many vehicles as a traditional interchange in the same amount of time.

Learn more about the I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway interchange improvement project at I4Beyond.com/darylcarter.

As Rebekah Griffith looks out at the intersection of Rinehart Road and County Road (C.R.) 46A in Seminole County, she is filled with pride. Griffith is an associate contract support specialist on the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) improvement project at the intersection — one of many she helps oversee. She says seeing the results of the improvements helps make her job worthwhile.

Griffith didn't start out in construction; she began her career in the healthcare industry as a director of environmental services. She switched industries in 2016 when she was looking for a change. Griffith now thrives in the ever-evolving world of construction.

"I really love seeing how the projects I am on progress from start to finish," Griffith said. "It's also great to see how it benefits the growing communities we are working with."

Griffith communicates with the contractors on each project, making sure project documentation is correct and delivered on time. She says overseeing project activities, taking project meeting minutes, and managing and tracking monthly estimates are just some of her responsibilities that help a project come together.

"I also provide administration support for the team," Griffith said. "I help them manage project schedules and budgets. That way everything stays on time and the project is completed in a cost-effective manner."

Griffith says what makes the job exciting is working on a variety of projects. She enjoys seeing the impact of improvements for the people who live in Central Florida, including the upgrades at the intersection of Rinehart Road and C.R. 46A, where new turn lanes, curbs, sidewalks, drainage, guardrails, and pedestrian handrails were installed. The upgrades at this intersection will greatly benefit drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

When she's not overseeing construction projects, Griffith has a passion for the outdoors. Camping, traveling to new places, crocheting, and sewing are some of her favorite hobbies. She's also a mom, and she loves cheering on her kids playing soccer on the weekends.

While it can be a long road for a project to reach completion, seeing the benefits of what each of these projects brings to the community is something that inspires Griffith every day.

"With the population growing in this area, a lot of these projects will help to relieve congestion for a lot of people, as well as creating safer traffic conditions for residents in the area," Griffith said.

The first week of August is National Stop on Red Week. It may seem obvious that drivers should always stop at red lights, yet in 2023 alone, more than 136,000 people were injured and over 1,000 were killed in crashes involving drivers running red lights. This indicates many of the country’s drivers do not heed one of the simplest rules of the road: always stop on red! Red-light running crashes are 100% preventable if drivers follow this one fundamental rule.

Making safe stops is vital to community safety. More than half of those injured when a driver ignores a red light are pedestrians and cyclists. Every time drivers run a red light, they don’t just put themselves at risk, they also endanger the lives of the most vulnerable road users.

Despite knowing the simple rule that a red light means stop, nearly 4.2 million drivers still ran red lights in 2023. This astounding number of motorists ignoring basic traffic rules underscores why National Stop on Red Week is so important in Florida and across the country. It's a vital reminder of the need to prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths caused by red-light running. Remember: always stop on red.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recognize August as Child Safety Awareness Month. With the calendar page turning to the month of August and school about to begin, more children will soon be out and about on the streets and sidewalks. It is important to stay alert and put safety first.

We are all responsible for the safety of children, especially in and around vehicles. Here are some tips to help everyone stay safe during Child Safety Awareness Month and every day:

Be Alert While Backing Up

• Walk around your vehicle to check for children playing.
• Turn off your radio to better hear your surroundings.
• Keep your foot on the brake until you are sure it’s safe to proceed in reverse.
• Back out slowly.
• Teach children to never play in, on, around, or under vehicles.
• Know your vehicle's blind spots and look twice before backing up.

Bus Safety

• Motorists are required to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended. If there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic, motorists in the separated lanes do not need to stop.
• Motorists should be alert and watch for children, especially near schools, bus stops, school buses, and in school parking lots.
• Instruct your children to wait at a safe distance from the road at bus stops.

Seatbelts and Child Restraints

• Florida law requires all drivers, front seat passengers, and passengers under the age of 18 to wear seat belts. Make sure your children are buckled in correctly and shoulder belts rest properly across their chest — not their throat.
• If possible, keep children in the back seat at least through age 12. Front seat air bags can be dangerous to children when they deploy.
• Florida law requires children four and five years of age to ride in a booster seat.

If you need assistance installing a car seat or aren’t sure if yours is installed correctly, contact your local police department or fire station and make an appointment to have it installed or inspected. Never buy a used or defective car seat.

For more information on Child Safety Awareness Month, visit this page.