ORLANDO, Fla. — Drivers beware: Part of I-4 in downtown Orlando may feel unfamiliar.
A stretch of new, permanent lanes opened Saturday as part of the I-4 Ultimate Project.
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The Florida Department of Transportation opened new westbound lanes between Gore Street and Orange Blossom Trail.
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Watch below: Traffic anchor Racquel Asa explains the changes
Slideshow: I-4 Ultimate project renderings
Drivers will notice several changes:
- Drivers who exit westbound I-4 at Michigan Street will now do so about a half mile later.
- Drivers entering westbound I-4 from Gore Street or State Route 408 will no longer have to merge with traffic that is trying to exit to Michigan Street.
- Drivers on Kaley Avenue will enter westbound I-4 on a new two-lane ramp that diverges to either enter westbound I-4 or continues onto an adjacent road connecting to Michigan Street.
Link: FDOT to shift westbound I-4 to new lanes June 2
Another benefit for drivers will help on rainy days. A spokesperson from the I-4 Ultimate project told Channel 9’s Ty Russel the elevated lanes, fresh pavement, new reflectors, and new paint will help drivers during Central Florida downpours.
In May, a stretch of wet weather and flash flooding caused consistent concern for I-4 drivers near Michigan Street. Crews sometimes had to close lanes because of rising floodwaters.