ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida motorists continue to struggle with traffic congestion, even as major road construction projects are underway across the region. The I-4 corridor in Orlando recently received significant updates, and the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) is investing millions to widen the 408 expressway. Despite these efforts, drivers say gridlock remains a daily challenge.
A particularly troublesome area is the on-ramp from westbound 408 to I-4, where traffic frequently comes to a standstill during morning and evening rush hours.
Longtime local driver Bernice Crawford, who has navigated Central Florida roads for over 30 years, described the worsening traffic firsthand.
“I remember back in the day that there was hardly any traffic. I’m just saying the truth. And it’s just the commute. Everything’s just so much worse,” Crawford said.
She acknowledged the construction efforts aimed at alleviating congestion.
“Well, as long as they’re going to be making more lanes, I think it’s highly important because there’s always stop-and-go traffic. So definitely, for more lanes,” Crawford added.
Drivers heading west on 408 and attempting to access either direction of I-4 are likely to face additional delays, highlighting persistent traffic bottlenecks in one of Florida’s busiest regions.
Tiffany Phillips, another Orlando resident, voiced concern about both delays and safety risks.
“I just hope sometimes I don’t get into a car accident,” she said, reflecting frustration shared by many commuters.
While infrastructure authorities focus on expanding lanes, these improvements come with trade-offs, including higher tolls. For many Central Florida drivers, toll increases add another layer of stress to an already challenging commute.
Despite these challenges, local officials maintain that lane expansions and other ongoing projects are crucial to addressing long-term traffic growth, which is expected to rise alongside Central Florida’s population and economic development.
Originally reported by Click Orlando.
