A new Interstate 4 (I-4) interchange will open soon, providing Central Florida motorists with more travel options in Orlando’s busy tourism corridor. A new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) will open as soon as July, when crews working on the Daryl Carter Parkway overpass improvement project connect three new ramps to I-4 — two new exit ramps from I-4 to Daryl Carter Parkway and a new eastbound I-4 entrance ramp. A westbound I-4 entrance ramp will be built as part of a future project.

Here’s an overview of what motorists can expect when the I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway improvement project reaches this crucial milestone.

The new DDI will allow motorists to enter or exit I-4 at Daryl Carter Parkway without making left turns across traffic, which will enhance safety by reducing conflict points — places where vehicles cross paths or merge. Without left turns across traffic, there is no need for a left-turn phase, reducing the number of signal phases from four to two and decreasing the amount of time motorists will spend waiting at red lights in the interchange.

Motorists traveling in either direction of Daryl Carter Parkway will cross over to the left side of the road at the first traffic signal, following pavement markings and staying in their lane. After crossing over I-4 on the bridge, motorists will then encounter a second signal, where the pavement markings will guide them back to the right side of the road. Drivers entering or exiting I-4 should follow the pavement markings and all posted signs.

Compared to a traditional interchange, a DDI moves almost double the traffic through the intersection in the same amount of time, while lowering the frequency and severity of crashes.

The new interchange will also feature a barrier-protected pedestrian walkway in the Daryl Carter Parkway median, new crosswalks, and a bicycle lane in each direction of Daryl Carter Parkway. Pedestrian-activated crossing signals will allow pedestrians to more safely use the new crosswalks and enter the median walkway.

Construction on the project began in 2022 and is anticipated to be completed in the coming months.

For more information on this project, visit I4beyond.com/darylcarter.