I-4 Widening

Widening I-4 has been an important priority in Central Florida.  In 1995, FDOT completed the I-4 Multimodal Master Plan which set long range goals for Central Florida's transportation infrastructure.  The Plan ultimately widens I-4 to include 6 general use and 2 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes from the Osecola/Polk County line to State Road 472 in Volusia County, and 6 lanes from there to just east of I-95.

The final widening of I-4 includes requirements for new rights-of-way, new grades and redesigns of interchanges, and will cost $2.9 billion (in 2000 dollars).  With significant traffic disruptions and costs anticipated with this massive undertaking, FDOT has separated the 73-mile I-4 widening project into 3 parts.

Section 1 extends 13.5 miles from west of County Road 532 at the Osceola/Polk County line to the Bee Line Expressway (S.R. 528) and will cost about $441 million.  Section 2 widens I-4 43 miles from S.R. 528 across the St. Johns River Bridge to S.R. 472 and will cost $2.3 billion.  For Section 3, 17 miles of I-4 will be 6-laned from S.R. 472 to just east of I-95 at a cost of $136 million.  With no local funding in place, construction is slated to begin in 2013 and should be completed in 2035.

Because of the significant costs and time required for this project, Rep. Mica contacted FDOT in February, 1994, and urged that an interim solution to I-4 traffic congestion be implemented.  Mica proposed that a fourth traffic lane be created in each direction through the urban area of Orlando by utilizing part of the left, inside safety shoulder and portions of the right safety lane.

Knowing that the ultimate configuration of I-4 is not expected to be completed until 2035 because of the tremendous cost and lack of funding sources, Mica also requested that FDOT work with the federal government to develop a plan to cost-effectively make incremental progress in widening.

In July of 2000, FDOT adopted Mica's proposal to provide interim relief to daily commuters and visiting tourists.