Gov. Ron DeSantis orders FDOT to speed up construction on I-4 Ultimate Project amid COVID-19 pandemic

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has ordered the Florida Department of Transportation to speed up construction on the I-4 Ultimate Project in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DeSantis said FDOT will accelerate construction by one to two months on several segments of the project in Orange and Seminole counties.

He said crews will focus on completing the main travel lanes of westbound Interstate 4 from State Road 434 in Longwood through downtown Orlando and the State Road 408 interchange.

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FDOT Secretary Kevin Thibault said he hopes to open the new interchange to drivers by July 4.

“I think this is taking advantage of an opportunity, and I think we’ll be better for it,” DeSantis said during a news conference.

Typically, 100,000 to 120,000 drivers take I-4 daily, depending on the segment, Thibault said. But because of the pandemic, that number has dropped to about 40,000, he said.

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DeSantis said crews will increase daytime operations by closing more lanes of I-4.

He said there will be no additional cost to accelerate construction.

Watch the full news conference below:

VIDEO: DeSantis orders FDOT to speed up I-4 Ultimate construction amid coronavirus pandemic Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has ordered the Florida Department of Transportation to speed up construction on the I-4 Ultimate Project in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cox Media Group