At least one stretch of I-4 has the longest delays in the country, according to a well-regarded traffic analysis firm. This is the stretch of I-4 west of the completed Ultimate, where express lanes won’t ease congestion. The stretch is from Beachline to 429. Richard Davis drives through the area and knows the conditions firsthand. “It’s congested, it’s awful. I have to go through that area twice a day,” Davis said. The governor has pledged to put money into state transportation projects to address the problem of traffic congestion and address the problem spots. “We know we have really bad traffic congestion in these areas,” DeSantis said. “You can go any time of the day in some of these areas and be stuck in traffic.” According to traffic analysis group INRIX, the stretch from Beachline to 429 is the most congested stretch in the country. That’s 31 minutes lost in peak-hour traffic, or a total of 124 hours lost last year. These statistics put this section of I-4 just behind Interstate 5, yes, I-5 in Los Angeles, in terms of congestion. That’s more time lost on I-5 in LA on this section from Beachline to 429. “The Florida Department of Transportation has been working hard for years to ease congestion. Central Florida is growing fast,” said Cindy Lane. It’s clear that Central Florida’s growth, and the associated increase in automobiles, is outpacing the pace of new pavement. But some relief is being provided around Championsgate, and more is on the way. “We’re adding auxiliary lanes in Osceola County, allowing commuters to accelerate even faster to ease congestion,” Lane said. Work is also starting on interchanges in the congested corridor. Earlier this year, the department began a project to widen the I-4 exit ramp to the eastbound Beachline Expressway. So that project is to widen State Highway 528 from one lane to two lanes in the area you’re referring to,” Lane said. “The design, the funding and the desire are clear, but the actual construction will take time.”
ORLANDO, Fla. —
At least one section of I-4 has some of the longest delays in the country, according to a well-known traffic analysis firm.
This is the section of I-4 west of the now completed Ultimate, so there is no express lane mitigation. This section is from Beachline to 429.
Richard Davis drives through the area and knows the area first hand.
“It’s crowded, it’s hard work, I have to go around that area two or three times a day,” Davis said.
The governor promised to address traffic congestion by investing in state transportation projects to fix problem areas.
“We know there are some really bad traffic jams in these areas,” DeSantis said, “and in some of these areas, you could be stuck in traffic no matter what time you go.”
According to traffic analysis group INRIX, the area from Beach Line to Highway 429 is one of the most congested stretches in the country.
During peak congestion, 31 minutes are lost, adding up to a total of 124 hours lost last year.
Those statistics put that section of I-4 just slightly ahead of Interstate 5, yes, Interstate 5 in Los Angeles, in terms of congestion.
The time lost on this stretch from Beachline to the 429 is more than the time lost on Interstate 5 in Los Angeles.
“The Florida Department of Transportation has been trying to alleviate congestion for many years, and Central Florida is growing rapidly,” Cindy Lane said.
It’s clear that Central Florida’s growth, and the resulting increase in automobile traffic, is outpacing the progress of new pavement.
But there has been some relief around ChampionsGate, and more relief is on the way.
“We’re adding auxiliary lanes into Osceola County, which will allow traffic to accelerate even faster and ease congestion for commuters,” Lane said.
Work has also begun on some interchanges along the busy corridor.
We started a project earlier this year to widen the exit ramp from I-4 onto the eastbound Beach Line Expressway, State Route 528 in the area you are referring to, from one lane to two lanes,” Lane said.
The design, funding and aspirations are clear, but actual construction will take time.
