New I-4 off-ramp opens in Maitland

Drivers could be caught by surprise

MAITLAND, Fla. – A new Interstate 4 off-ramp opened early Wednesday that could catch many drivers off guard.

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Previously, drivers exiting eastbound I-4 and heading west on Maitland Boulevard would take a ramp that provided a gentle left curve looping over the interstate.

The new ramp now takes drivers nearly 1,500 feet past the old exit and sharply loops to the right.

"This is a dramatic change," FDOT spokesman Dave Parks said.  "The big leap of faith is they have to drive past the exit they've been using for years. They've got to go past Maitland Blvd, then know the ramp is going to be there, and loop up and around and get on Maitland Boulevard."

The ramp is designed to take drivers into merge lanes onto westbound Maitland rather than at a traffic signal.

"Motorists will continue to exit on the right, but instead of depending on a traffic signal like before, they will now need to cautiously merge onto Maitland Boulevard," Florida Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Olson said.

Project leaders said this is the sixth new ramp at the Maitland interchange since July and another change will soon be coming.

On December 16, a new off-ramp is scheduled to open onto westbound Maitland Boulevard for drivers on westbound I-4.

The new ramp will allow westbound I-4 drivers to exit either onto Maitland Boulevard or directly onto Lake Destiny Drive, giving them direct access to Maitland Center and the Sheraton hotel.

"If you're headed to the Sheraton or some of buildings, you'll be able to come right off exit ramp and get directly into the office park. So that's one group of commuters that will see a benefit," Parks said.

FDOT is rebuilding the entire Maitland- I-4 interchange, raising Maitland Boulevard over I-4. Construction on the interchange is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

 


About the Author:

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.