ORLANDO, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Orlando Monday to talk about advancements in construction projects, including the I-4 Ultimate Project, amid the slower traffic due to the coronavirus.
Last month, the governor directed the Florida Department of Transportation to accelerate construction projects while traffic is lighter than normal due to coronavirus-related closures still in place.
“I wanted to ensure that we maximize construction efforts to support Florida’s economy and ensure that Florida was able to reopen stronger than before," DeSantis said Monday.
DeSantis was in Orlando to announce the opening of State Road 408 and I-4 interchange and five new flyover ramps. The governor said the opening is three months earlier than what was anticipated.
“They understood they had a window here to really make a difference,” DeSantis said.
FDOT Secretary Kevin Thibault joined the governor along I-4 for the announcement.
“This is the biggest milestone of the project to date, which will undoubtedly transform the heart of our state’s transportation system," Thibault said.
As part of the move, I-4 west was reduced to one lane from Princeton to Gore streets over the weekend while crews worked to shift traffic to the new westbound lanes.
I-4 and State Road 408 entrance and exit ramps were also closed at varying times as work continued on the I-4/S.R. 408 interchange.
As for when the 21-mile I-4 Ultimate project will be complete, Thibault said the target is sometime next year.
“(Workers) will be able to finish their work next year. How many weeks and months? We’re going to see. We’re going to keep monitoring that," he said.
More details about I-4 construction and closures can be found here.