We dug. We poured. We constructed — all to make your 2025 drive safer and more efficient than 2024. And your 2026? It will be even better. Here are the highlights from a productive 2025 on the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate projects:

The year began with crews driving steel piles deep underground to support a new bridge over Central Florida Parkway for the future I-4 Express extension. In February, the new entrance ramp from Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) to westbound Interstate 4 (I-4) opened to traffic.

March was a big month both north and south of downtown Orlando. In Seminole County, crews completed construction on the I-4 and U.S. 17-92 interchange (see video). This project improved safety for both motorists and pedestrians going to or from downtown Sanford. South of Orlando, crews implemented a new diverging diamond configuration at Daryl Carter Parkway over I-4. In the second set of photos, you can see how Daryl Carter Parkway started the year and how it finished.

The new westbound I-4 exit ramp to Sand Lake Road opened in May, giving crews room to work on the new loop ramp that will take motorists directly from westbound Sand Lake Road to Turkey Lake Road. In the top image, you can see the new loop ramp taking shape, with the old exit ramp shown on the left and the new one on the right, passing beneath the loop ramp.

In July, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the new I-4 interchange at Daryl Carter Parkway with three new ramps — exit ramps from both directions of I-4 and an eastbound entrance ramp — providing a new connection between I-4 and Central Florida’s popular tourism corridor.

August saw additional pile driving milestones, this time at the I-4 and Apopka-Vineland Road (S.R. 535) interchange. This work formed the base for bridges that will connect northbound Apopka-Vineland Road directly to westbound I-4, eliminating the need for motorists to turn left across traffic.

In September, crews finished improvements to the Rinehart Road and County Road (C.R.) 46A (H.E. Thomas Jr. Parkway) intersection (see video) near the I-4 and C.R. 46A interchange, increasing capacity by modifying select existing turn lanes and adding new turn lanes, and a third lane on southbound Rinehart Road. The interchange at S.R. 528 continued its transformation in October, as crews worked on widening this vital junction between major Central Florida highways.

It’s been a busy 2025 along I-4 in Seminole and Orange counties, and we can’t wait to share what's in store for 2026 and beyond!

This year marks a big milestone for Interstate 4 (I-4), one of Florida's busiest highways. I-4 turned 60 in 2025, and like fine wine, it has only gotten better with age. To celebrate our old friend, let’s look at how I-4 came to be, how it’s grown, and where it’s headed next.

I-4’s story began in 1956, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Interstate and Defense Highway Act into law. The bill called for 41,000 miles of an interstate highway system to be funded and constructed over a 10-year period, greatly improving travel across the country. In 1958, crews began constructing a highway to connect Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona Beach across Central Florida.

I-4 opened in 1965, stretching more than 130 miles from Tampa to Daytona Beach, but like any young highway, it had a lot of growing up to do. Over the decades, the highway saw widening projects, new interchanges added, and other roadway improvements to keep up with the region’s growth. Some notable projects include:

• I-275 created and I-4 shortened (1971–1973): The western segment of I-4, which ran over the Howard Frankland Bridge to St. Petersburg, was redesignated as I-75 in 1971. Two years later, I-75 was rerouted east of Tampa, and the Tampa–St. Petersburg segment became I-275, a bypass loop of I-75.
• Attractions area upgrades (1990s): Many interchanges near Kissimmee were constructed or upgraded to accommodate increasing traffic demands in the attractions area, supporting Central Florida’s growth as a major tourist destination.
• Exit numbering system changes (2002): I-4, along with most of Florida's interstates, switched from a sequential exit numbering system to a mileage-based exit numbering system to comply with new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements.

In 2015, one of the biggest transportation projects in Florida’s history began: I-4 Ultimate. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews completely rebuilt 21 miles of I-4 from west of Kirkman Road (State Road (S.R.) 435) to east of S.R. 434, modernizing bridges, improving interchanges, and adding I-4 Express, a managed lane system in the center of I-4 that provides more reliable travel times. The I-4 Ultimate project completed in 2022, providing Central Florida drivers with a smoother, safer, and more efficient highway.

Even at 60 years old, I-4 is showing no signs of slowing down. The next chapter is already underway with I-4 Beyond the Ultimate, which is improving and expanding the interstate beyond the limits of the I-4 Ultimate project and extending I-4 Express. Additionally, Moving I-4 Forward will expand improvements on Central Florida’s essential transportation corridor to the west of the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate limits.

From its first mile in 1959 to the advanced highway it is today, I-4 has remained a vital part of Florida’s journey. As we celebrate I-4’s 60th birthday, we also look ahead to the next 60 years of growth, improvements, and safe travel.

Crews are approaching completion of the new inside lane on the westbound Interstate 4 (I-4) exit ramp to eastbound State Road (S.R.) 528 (Beachline Expressway) at Exit 72. Upon completion, this widening project will double the capacity of the ramp linking these two major roadways in Orange County.

In December, crews conducted two traffic shifts and finished striping on the right lane of westbound I-4 approaching Exit 72. Paving operations on the ramp also progressed and new guardrail was installed.

Final ramp paving is expected to be completed in January. Crews will also install posts for new overhead signs and permanent lighting fixtures along westbound I-4. Once these operations are completed, crews will complete final work and clear the construction zone of equipment and debris to prepare the project for final inspection.

The project began in January 2024 and is anticipated to reach completion April 2026.

For more information, visit the project website at I4Beyond.com/SR528.