I-4 ramp closures bring major changes to downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)  is planning a major lane shift on the eastbound I-4 lanes through downtown Orlando, a major milestone in the I-4 Ultimate project. The shift starts at the South Street exit and continues up until Lee Road.

“Where most people have been seeing us build these elevated roadways in downtown and now we will be shifting traffic to that area. So, this is a huge milestone for the project,” said Jessica Ottaviano, FDOT spokeswoman.

Along with this shift, the temporary eastbound I-4 ramps between Colonial Drive and Lee Road will be eliminated, bringing back the traditional ramps. The eastbound exit to Amelia Street will reopen and the eastbound exit to Colonial Drive will no longer have drivers to making U-turns onto southbound Hughey avenue.

“Actually when we are complete with this shift there will be 8 full miles of continuous east bound lanes in the permanent configuration,” Ottaviano said.

FDOT says they want this new traffic to be in place in time for the Monday morning rush. Could be as early as 5am. They says they'll start shutting-down the eastbound I-4 lanes at eleven o'clock to begin shifting the lanes.