Crews at the Interstate 4 (I-4) and Apopka-Vineland Road (State Road (S.R.) 535) interchange are busy constructing a new loop ramp that will connect northbound Apopka-Vineland Road to westbound I-4. Once completed, this new loop ramp will increase the overall safety and traffic efficiency of the interchange by eliminating left turns across traffic for motorists traveling northbound on Apopka-Vineland Road headed to westbound I-4.

Construction on the new loop ramp is well underway, and crews have already built the first of two new bridges for the loop ramp. This first bridge passes over the westbound I-4 exit ramp to Apopka-Vineland Road. Earlier this year, crews realigned the exit ramp to pass under the new bridge, bringing both ramps closer to their final configurations. A significant portion of the underlying earthworks that will support the future driving surface for the loop ramp is complete, including embankments for the ramp. Additionally, two new stormwater ponds in the new loop ramp area were constructed alongside westbound I-4, which will aid in increasing drainage capacity throughout the interchange.

As the project progresses, crews will continue constructing the second bridge for the new loop ramp, which will pass over Apopka-Vineland Road alongside westbound I-4. Completing the superstructure of this bridge will require setting structural beams and pouring the concrete bridge deck across the beams to support the final driving surface of the loop ramp.

Crews will construct the foundational layers of the road surface for the new loop ramp on the sections of the ramp that utilize new earthworks and will build new mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls to support the elevated sections of the new loop ramp. Once these are complete, crews will pave the entire loop ramp, finish the barrier walls along the ramp, and place permanent roadway markings on the new driving surface.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working to partially reconstruct this heavily traveled gateway to improve access to nearby theme parks, shopping, and resorts. Other upcoming improvements on the project include realigning the westbound I-4 entrance ramp from southbound Apopka-Vineland Road, lengthening the westbound I-4 exit ramp to Apopka-Vineland Road, milling and resurfacing Apopka-Vineland Road through the interchange, and extending the turn lane on Apopka-Vineland Road.

For more information on the project, visit I4Beyond.com/SR535.