Big Drive: Maitland I-4 ramp opening Friday

MAITLAND, Fla. – There are more big changes on the way for drivers in Maitland. The latest Big Drive progress will have commuters taking a new ramp starting early Friday morning.

News 6 Traffic anchor Amy Biondello spoke to David Parks, public information officer with the I-4 Ultimate project, for more details on the coming changes.

"The entire Maitland Boulevard interchange changes from the way it was prior to the start of construction," Parks said.

Driving along Maitland Boulevard will have some notable changes going into effect for commute time Friday. A new, temporary ramp to access I-4 is scheduled to open by 5 a.m.

"We will begin this shift on Thursday night starting at 10 p.m., we’ll actually close down this entry ramp location and traffic will be open by 5 a.m. Friday morning," Parks said. :So for the Friday morning commute drivers need to be prepared for this new change."

There will be marked detours overnight.

The temporary ramp will be in almost the same location as the permanent one. And while the change is beneficial it’s something drivers will have to get used to.

"Beginning about 600 feet further back from I-4, if you’re in the right hand lane you’re to get on to eastbound I-4," Parks said.

Starting Friday morning, you’ll have to make a decision to merge sooner on Maitland Boulevard. Last-second lane changes won’t be an option.

"If you’re in the middle or left hand lane you’re not going to be able to make this turn onto eastbound I-4 like you do today," Parks said. "You’re going to continue over I-4 and either get on westbound I-4 either headed towards downtown or you’re going to continue to the West over towards the RDV and ultimately towards Apopka."

Parks said there is also another change drivers should look out for.

"We’re doing away with traffic lights creating a free-flowing interchange that will really improve the traffic flow fro the 50-thousand vehicles that travel on Maitland Boulevard up and over I-4 every single day," Park said.


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