Since the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Daryl Carter Parkway interchange on July 19, motorists have taken advantage of the new connection to I-4. With three new ramps — exit ramps in both directions and an eastbound I-4 entrance ramp — the interchange provides new access to residences, hotels, shopping, dining, and attractions. Orlando’s tourism corridor has seen increased growth in recent years, and many of the businesses along Daryl Carter Parkway are now near a brand new I-4 interchange.

Local business leaders are excited about what this means for their visitors and employees. John Geller, president and CEO of Marriott Vacations Worldwide, said his team will benefit from the improved access to and from I-4.

“From most people what I’m hearing is it could take 10-15 minutes off their commute each way,” Geller said of the new interchange. “We’ve got over a thousand associates that work out of our office building here. It’s going to be really important for their commute.”

Motorists choosing to use the I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway interchange will bring more traffic to local businesses. The new interchange will help reduce congestion at adjacent interchanges, such as Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) and Apopka-Vineland Road (S.R. 535).

“I think it’s going to be significant, especially for the local businesses here, just having that easy access off I-4,” Geller said, “It’s been great for us in the last 20 months, watching the development of the interchange as well as the new businesses coming into O-Town West.”

The I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway interchange is home to I-4’s newest diverging diamond interchange (DDI), an innovative design that improves safety and traffic flow by reducing vehicle conflict points and moving twice the amount of traffic compared to a traditional interchange. There are no left turns across traffic in a DDI, which reduces the risk of crashes by nearly half.

Chuck Whittall, president and CEO of Unicorp National Developments, said he is confident this interchange will help bring in more visitors.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see twice the number of visitors that we currently have,” Whittall said. “The interchange is going to carry a lot of people.”

The project to transform the Daryl Carter Parkway overpass into a new I-4 interchange began in 2022 and is anticipated to reach completion in 2025. With O-Town West and surrounding areas continuing to develop, the project’s completion has stakeholders in the area excited for what’s to come.

“It’s going to be a great impact for all the businesses,” Whittall said. “Right now, I think a lot of the businesses get overlooked because there (was) no easy access to them, so the interchange will definitely drive business.”

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