ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of hours of work along with tons of dirt, asphalt and steel went into the I-4 Ultimate construction project.

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More than seven years later, it’s official. FDOT has declared that the work is finally finished.

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The I-4 Ultimate project is the largest project the state has ever undertaken.

From start to finish, the project had many different components.

Once just a vision, these days, the express lanes along the 21-mile corridor are saving people from major delays.

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When they opened in late February, FDOT leaders said they still had some punch list items to accomplish.

Since completed, finishing touches included art endowments by local artists, city seals throughout, lots of new landscaping and upgraded energy efficient LED lighting.

“They are such small details but those small details have made major impacts to these communities,” FDOT’s Jessica Ottaviano said.

“It’s crazy to see this project come from concept to concrete ... new bridges, interchanges, overpasses and the last big lift.”

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Central Floridians can agree that for years, the light at the end of the I-4 Ultimate tunnel was hard to imagine.

But the darkness is gone. Enjoy your drive.

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Then & now

I-4 Ultimate Project complete: Then & now eastbound (2014 vs. 2022) More than seven years after breaking ground, FDOT has declared the I-4 Ultimate construction complete. (WFTV)

I-4 Ultimate Project complete: Then & now westbound (2014 vs. 2022) More than seven years after breaking ground, FDOT has declared the I-4 Ultimate construction complete. (WFTV)

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