I-4 Ultimate Construction Project Ready to Begin
I-4 Ultimate is an important project for Central Florida. The 21-mile makeover — from west of Kirkman Road in Orange County to east of State Road 434 in Seminole County — will transform the region while connecting our communities, improving our economy and enhancing livability for everyone.
The goal of I-4 Ultimate is to create a signature corridor that connects communities, improves economies and enhances livability throughout the region. I-4 Ultimate is designed to reflect the best of Central Florida’s local context, history, unique community character and landscaping. Explore this section of the website to learn more about how this distinctive and memorable design will reinforce mobility, enhance the driver’s experience, engage communities and maximize accessibility.
Aesthetics
The I-4 Ultimate project is going to completely revamp the face of Central Florida. Most importantly, it will improve traffic flow by easing congestion. Some exciting things to look forward to include:
- Four new tolled Express Lanes (two in each direction)
- Thirteen widened bridges, 74 replaced bridges and 53 new bridges
- Fifteen reconstructed major interchanges
- A world-class signature pedestrian bridge
- Accent lighting
- Fountain illumination
- Art sculptures and monuments
- Bold landscape design
- Monumental direct-connect pylons
- Bridge architecture
- Concrete paving
- Steel tub girders
- Architectural cladding
Innovation
FDOT is at the forefront of technological innovations and is shaping the way departments of transportation across the country generate new and better value for every transportation dollar invested. The I-4 Ultimate project is no exception. FDOT demanded innovation, and I-4 Mobility Partners delivered, offering 25 approved alternative technical concepts (innovative ideas) and 27 project technical enhancements (enhanced features).
Alternative technical concepts are proposed changes to basic configurations, the project scope, design criteria or construction criteria and provide an approach that is equal to or better than the requirements requested by FDOT. For I-4 Ultimate, I-4 Mobility Partners’ alternative technical concepts focus on:
- Providing greater traffic flow reliability with auxiliary lanes and added movements
- Providing greater consistency in driver expectancy and reduced travel times
- Enhancing driver safety with sight distance improvements and alignments
- Providing better community connections
- Incorporating sustainability features, such as reutilized and recycled materials
- Using better technology to improve long-term operations
Sound Abatement
The I-4 Ultimate project may include construction of sound barriers to help reduce sound between the interstate and adjacent neighborhoods. Many factors determine sound barrier locations. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) conducted multiple noise studies for the 21-mile I-4 project. Currently, eight locations in Orange and Seminole counties are eligible for sound barriers. A majority of property owners adjacent to the proposed barriers indicated their support for them when surveyed by FDOT. Based upon the completed noise studies, construction of sound barriers is considered for eight residential communities adjacent to I-4.
Historic Preservation
Central Florida is rich in history, with hundreds of buildings, districts and sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several of these places are within the project limits of I-4 Ultimate, including the town of Eatonville, Griffin Park and the Holden-Parramore Historic District. The team’s design was developed with historic preservation in mind, so impacts to these important areas will be lessened.
Once I-4 Ultimate is complete, the corridor will be a celebration of local history and heritage and will serve as a true reminder of what makes Central Florida unique. – See more at: http://i4ultimate.com/project-info/special-features/#sthash.paS76J4w.dpuf
For I-4 traveler information, including exit listing, real-time traffic reports, gas prices and more, visit www.i4exitguide.com
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