Central Florida drivers are once again bracing for major roadwork on Interstate 4, just three years after the $2.3 billion I-4 Ultimate project wrapped up. A new $2.5 billion initiative, Moving I-4 Forward, is scheduled to launch in January—bringing new lanes, ramps, and connections aimed at reducing severe congestion along one of Florida’s busiest transportation corridors.
.jpg)
But while state officials insist the projects will ease gridlock, some longtime residents are preparing to lose peace, quiet, and property value.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin construction on three priority projects costing $1.7 billion across Polk and Osceola counties. These upgrades are designed to shorten commute times and improve access to major roads. At a packed public meeting in Osceola County, hundreds of residents gathered to hear more.
FDOT spokesperson Matthew Richardson said these projects are being fast-tracked using newer design and building methods. He pointed to early completion of previous improvements as a sign of what to expect.
“Like you saw with the congestion relief lanes that were eight months ahead of schedule, that just kind of shows an example of the speed that we’re working at,” Richardson said.
For residents Phil and Diana Boyce, the changes mean a highway will soon replace their once-private view of a wooded area in the Reunion community.
“I was hoping it would be done after my lifetime, but apparently it starts in January,” Diana said. “I’m overwhelmed.”
The couple had planned to retire at a second nearby home and sell the smaller one—now directly next to an elevated toll road.
“If I was going to come out here [to the yard] that would be the last thing I would want is to have a highway,” Diana said. “I don’t think that would be the choice of many people.”
Her husband Phil acknowledged the inconvenience but said congestion has left the state no choice.
“I’ll just wear earplugs if I have to,” Phil said. “I-4 is so backed up in both directions, so now they’re doing what they have to do and certain people have to pay the price.”
.jpg)
Many residents, like retired engineer Jim Albon, argue that I-4 expansion is long overdue due to relentless population growth and development.
“Anytime you want to go anywhere, you’ve got to plan that it’ll take you 40 minutes or more,” Albon said.
But he remains skeptical about how much traffic relief the project will actually provide.
“The express lanes will help,” Albon said. “But the problem is that the more roads they build, the more people come in and continue to build more … and the infrastructure is not there to support them.”
Others hope it will speed up trips to Orlando International Airport, like Gillian Wolfe, who travels frequently to Canada to visit family.
“We always leave at least an hour [early] to travel to the airport,” Gillian said. “I think the added lanes on I-4 would be a benefit.”
Two additional projects (3 and 4) will eventually add more express lanes, rebuild an aging bridge, and widen the interstate near major tourist destinations. When complete, the new expansions will merge with the I-4 Ultimate changes completed in 2022.
Even with skepticism and frustration from residents, state officials maintain that the work is essential to keeping Central Florida moving.
Originally reported by Natalia jaramillo, orlando Sentinel (TNS) In Tampa Bay Times.
