Lane Construction has been awarded a $582 million contract to upgrade I-4 in Central Florida. The project was awarded by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to Lane Construction, the US subsidiary of Italian contractor Webuild. The FDOT package of works is called ‘Moving I-4 Forward – Project 2′.
The package of works will see Lane Construction upgrading a 5km section of I-4 to improve traffic flow and reduce delays for drivers. The I-4 route passes of the world’s most visited theme parks, which attracts an enormous number of tourists. In addition to the growing local population, this has resulted in the section of I-4 becoming heavily congested.
The project will include rebuilding the interchange between I-4 and SR 429, building new express lanes and bridges. The work will also boost capacity for emergency evacuations in the event of hurricanes. The new configuration includes four general-use lanes and two express lanes in each direction, with direct connections that will prevent weaving by streamlining transitions between Interstate-4 and State Road 429. The widening of Old Lake Wilson Road will include protected sidewalks and bike lanes. The I-4 median will also feature space for a potential future optional rail corridor.
The project forms part of the ‘Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative’, which FDOT is carrying out to adapt the road network to the region’s population growth and its increasing traffic congestion. It involves the construction of two express lanes in each direction along Interstate 4 (I-4) between Polk and Orange counties.
The accelerated schedule will allow the route to become operational earlier than originally planned. In addition to ensuring a substantial reduction in congestion and travel times, the project aims to raise safety and connectivity.
