News Summary
Motorists in Orlando are advised to avoid Interstate 4 (I-4) between Kirkman Road and S.R. 528 due to scheduled overnight closures for road construction. Lasting from Sunday through Thursday, the closures are expected to cause significant delays, particularly for late-night traffic. The construction aims to add two new lanes to I-4 West as part of a larger project to enhance traffic flow on one of the busiest highways in the U.S. Drivers are encouraged to plan their routes in advance.
Orlando, Florida – Motorists are advised to avoid Interstate 4 (I-4) between Kirkman Road and S.R. 528 due to scheduled overnight closures for road construction and maintenance. The closures will begin on Sunday, May 18, and will last through Thursday, May 22. Drivers can expect significant delays as all lanes are set to close starting at 10 p.m. each night, with the expectation that they will be reopened by 6 a.m. the following morning. The final closure for this period is projected to lift on Friday, May 23.
The construction activities involve the addition of two new lanes to I-4 West, which have been in the planning stages as part of a larger project aimed at improving traffic flow. Primarily, the closures will impact late-night traffic, particularly for drivers leaving Disney Springs, which closes at 11 p.m. Those traveling on the nights of Sunday through Tuesday (May 18-20) will need to take alternate routes, as will those on Wednesday and Thursday (May 21-22).
If construction crews complete work on the westbound lanes ahead of schedule on Monday night (May 19), the planned closures for May 21-22 may begin earlier, on Tuesday night (May 20). Additionally, two eastbound lanes will be closed overnight to facilitate these construction efforts, contributing to potential congestion. Specifically, one eastbound lane will close from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. nightly, while a second lane will be shut from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night.
Construction Details and Traffic Impact
This construction spans a 7-mile stretch of I-4 from east of U.S. 27 in Polk County to east of World Drive near Disney Springs. As part of the improvements, upgrades at the ChampionsGate interchange will feature wider entrance and exit ramps for better traffic management.
The new lanes are anticipated to open later this year, part of the ongoing “Moving I-4 Forward” initiative launched by Governor Ron DeSantis, designed to alleviate congestion on the notoriously busy freeway. In accordance with data from INRIX, I-4 holds the title of the most congested highway in the United States. The initial timeline for these traffic improvement projects was adjusted from an extensive 15-20 years to a more ambitious target of 10 years, with future plans to widen I-4 from six lanes to twelve, which will include ramp reconstructions and new connections.
Recent Traffic Incidents
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Traffic Chaos in Lake County Following Vehicle Incidents
Lane Closures on South Street in Downtown Orlando Delayed
Infrastructure Upgrades Coming to Downtown Orlando
Winter Park Gets New Fine-Dining Indian Restaurant SAMA
Lake Mary Opens New Hospital Amid Recovery from Tornado
Lake Mary Traffic Mayhem: Major Crash Shuts Down I-4
Orlando’s Morning Commute Disrupted by Two-Vehicle Crash
Revitalization Efforts Underway on West Colonial Drive in Orlando
Multi-Vehicle Crash Near Orlando Causes Major Traffic Woes
Lakeland Researchers Aim to Improve Safety on I-4 Corridor with Advanced Traffic Technology
Additional Resources
- WFTV: Road Closures on I-4
- WDWNT: Nightly I-4 Lane Closures
- Fox 35 Orlando: Vehicle Fire on I-4
- Orlando Sentinel: New Lanes on I-4
- Click Orlando: Crash on I-4
- Wikipedia: Interstate 4
- Google Search: I-4 Traffic Updates
- Google Scholar: I-4 Traffic Congestion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Interstate 4
- Google News: I-4 Construction News
