Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday the early completion of congestion relief lanes on a busy section of the state's Interstate 4 (I-4) corridor at a press conference in Kissimmee.
According to a press release, the new lanes will run from U.S. 27 in Polk County to World Drive in Osceola County and be open for use the week of April 28.
Gov. DeSantis said that the six miles of added lanes were also completed eight months ahead of schedule. The previous expectation was by the end of 2025.
“We launched the Moving Florida Forward initiative to accelerate major transportation projects that reduce congestion and improve connectivity,” DeSantis said. “With nearly 700 projects underway and $75 billion in infrastructure investment since 2019, we’re delivering real results for Floridians and keeping Florida moving.”
DeSantis previously ordered the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to come up with congestion relief on I-4, which runs about 132 miles southwest to northeast from Tampa to Daytona Beach.
In response, the FDOT started the Moving I-4 Forward program and introduced a new Modified Phased Design-Build method, which the release said ramped up construction through collaboration and innovation.
“This milestone is a tremendous testament to the continued leadership of Governor DeSantis and the commitment of our industry to deliver for Floridians,” FDOT Jared W. Perdue, P.E. said.“The Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative is a model for the rest of the country and continued investments from the Florida Legislature will keep this momentum going.
In addition, the FDOT announced accelerated work at the C.R. 532 and World Drive interchanges. It also is preparing work projects along the 14-mile corridor from U.S. 27 in Polk County to S.R. 536 in Orange County.
