This month, construction crews completed milling and resurfacing work on the Interstate 4 (I-4) and U.S. 17-92 interchange project in Seminole County. The work took about two weeks to complete.

Milling and resurfacing are crucial steps to a roadway project’s success. Over time, roads are subject to wear and tear due to heavy traffic, harsh weather conditions, and natural aging of materials. This is where milling and resurfacing play a pivotal role in maintaining and expanding the lifespan of roadways.

Milling is a technique in which the top layer of the pavement is removed using specialized machinery. This process involves grinding down the surface to a predetermined depth, exposing the underlying layers of the pavement. Milling serves many critical purposes like restoring the smoothness of a roadway, maintaining the height of the pavement, salvaging recyclable materials, and improving drainage and overall safety.

Resurfacing involves applying a fresh layer of asphalt on top of a properly milled base. This essential step in road maintenance breathes new life into roads. Resurfacing plays a major role in extending the life of a road and improving ride quality, resulting in an overall smoother and more comfortable driving experience for motorists and their passengers. It’s also a cost-effective option compared to a full road reconstruction.

The I-4 and U.S. 17-92 interchange improvement project in Seminole County aims to enhance safety by improving sight distance for motorists, upgrading crosswalks for pedestrians and bicyclists, and reducing the speed limit on U.S. 17-92 from 50 mph to 35 mph. The improvements will include adding a pedestrian-activated hybrid beacon signal at the end of the eastbound I‑4 exit ramp.

A pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a traffic control device consisting of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. PHBs are designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways. They remain dark until a pedestrian pushes the call button to activate a yellow-to-red lighting sequence consisting of flashing and steady lights that direct motorists to slow and stop, providing the right-of-way to the pedestrian to safely cross the roadway.

Additionally, an auxiliary lane will be added on eastbound U.S. 17-92 between the westbound I‑4 exit ramp and Monroe Road. A second right turn lane will be added to U.S. 17-92 when driving east to continue south on U.S. 17-92/Monroe Road. The dual right-turn-only lanes will stop at the signalized intersection at Seminole Boulevard, replacing the existing free-flow right turn. A right turn lane will be added from southbound U.S. 17-92/Monroe Road to the eastbound I‑4 entrance ramp, and a left turn lane will be added from westbound Seminole Boulevard to U.S. 17-92/Monroe Road to drive south.

Construction started in fall 2023 and is expected to be complete by late 2024. To learn more about this project, visit I4Beyond.com/U.S.17-92.