To accommodate current and future traffic needs, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is reconfiguring the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange as part of I-4 Beyond the Ultimate. Construction began in spring 2023 and is anticipated to reach completion in late 2028.

Construction activities in the area along Sand Lake Road are increasing at the intersection of I-4 and Turkey Lake Road. FDOT is aware that this can sometimes be an unsightly visual to those in the community and for those traveling into the area to visit one of Orlando’s many attractions. To mitigate this issue, FDOT has designed and installed several banners on the construction fencing in the Sand Lake Road area. These banners help to cover up the visual clutter of construction.

The messaging on the banners was selected purposefully. For example, one banner speaks about using the sidewalks and crosswalks. This is to encourage sidewalk safety, because during the Sand Lake Road project, sidewalk traffic will also be affected by changing patterns. Another banner displays two children in construction safety attire and the messaging states “Drive Safely Our Parents Work Here.” This message is to encourage safe driving in the construction zones.

These are just a couple of examples, but drivers will see several other designs as they travel through the area. The primary locations for the banners that have been hung so far are along the eastbound I-4 entrance ramp from Sand Lake Road, as well as the eastbound I-4 exit ramp at Sand Lake Road. So far, 20 banners have been deployed along the fencing in the construction area. There will be more banners displayed around the construction areas of Sand Lake Road in the coming weeks and months as more work zones are fenced off.

If you want to stay informed on the construction going on at Sand Lake Road, make sure to sign up for email alerts.

Construction on the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) interchange began in May. Crews have already been busy clearing out vegetation along the I-4 exit and entrance ramps and putting up fencing around the work zones.

The end goal of the project is to convert the interchange to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and add a new loop ramp to connect westbound Sand Lake Road to southbound Turkey Lake Road. The loop ramp will replace the current left turn from westbound Sand Lake Road onto southbound Turkey Lake Road. Work also includes extending I-4 Express to west of Sand Lake Road and constructing a single, buffer-separated express lane in the westbound direction from west of Sand Lake Road that will tie in just west of Central Florida Parkway.

Commuters in the Sand Lake Road area and visitors to the Doctor Phillips and International Drive areas can stay up to date on construction progress and impacts through a variety of means. The I-4 Beyond the Ultimate advance alerts will send you an email or text message to let you know about upcoming closures. The I-4 Beyond the Ultimate newsletter and project updates deliver behind-the-scenes and timely news to your inbox. You can also follow us on Twitter and YouTube.

Remember to drive safely through the work zone. State law prohibits the use of handheld devices while driving through a work zone. Put it down, pay attention, and help our workers make it home to their families each night.

Work on the Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) and Interstate 4 (I-4) interchange began earlier this month. Crews started removing vegetation from the vacant area behind Phillips Crossing. This work will prepare the area for utility work and pile driving. Crews have also begun work on the median of I-4 south of Sand Lake Road.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is reconstructing the Sand Lake Road and I-4 interchange into a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). Drivers can expect the changeover from the current interchange to the initial DDI this fall. They can prepare for the changeover by learning more about DDIs.

Crews will put into place the final DDI configuration later in the project. This includes the construction of a loop ramp that will connect drivers on westbound Sand Lake Road with Turkey Lake Road. The loop ramp will replace the current left turn from westbound Sand Lake Road to southbound Turkey Lake Road.

This project will also reconstruct the I‑4 general use lanes from west of Sand Lake Road to the end of the I‑4 Ultimate project. Two westbound, barrier-separated, express lanes will be built from west of Sand Lake Road to west of Kirkman Road. These will transition to a single, buffer-separated express lane in the westbound direction from west of Sand Lake Road and tie in just west of Central Florida Parkway. This express lane will be constructed in three separate projects with the finished lane extending from west of Sand Lake Road to west of S.R. 536.