ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis made a major surprise transportation announcement during a stop in Orlando on Monday.
The governor was joined by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault to announce that the I-4 and State Road 408 interchange has opened.
With less traffic due to the pandemic, FDOT workers were able to expedite the workflow on the I-4 Ultimate Project.
A surprise announcement this morning from Florida Governor Several inner changes at I-4 and State Road 408 are opening in downtown Orlando today. pic.twitter.com/gYFPU9Wezm
— Steve Barrett (@TVSteveBarrett) May 18, 2020
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The ramp openings are three months ahead of schedule, DeSantis said.
#Breaking: @GovRonDeSantis in @citybeautiful announcing opening of I-4/ 408 interchange 3 months ahead of schedule. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/nXGNLH7uJ2
— Nancy Alvarez (@NAlvarezWFTV) May 18, 2020
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Seven new ramps will open as part of the accelerated workflow.
“They understood that they had a window of opportunity to really make a difference.,” DeSantis said during the press conference. So just last week FDOT announced that it (has) accelerated more than 40 projects across the state which will eliminate more than 650 total contract days."
Each interchange ramp will have its own access point, which will reduce congestion.
DeSantis is also scheduled to meet Vice President Mike Pence in Orlando on Wednesday to discuss Florida’s phased economic reopening.
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