ORLANDO, Fla. – A major closure of the westbound side of the interstate is set for early next week, causing possible delays for overnight drivers in Orlando.
Starting Monday night, July 17, running through Tuesday at 5 a.m., the westbound I-4 lanes in Downtown Orlando will be closed down along with several other roads.
“We're going to close westbound I-4 lanes in the downtown area, detour all of the westbound traffic off at state road 50, send them out to the west to Orange Blossom Trail, send them south on OBT back onto I-4," Public Information Officer David Parks said.
A total of three westbound on-ramps to the interstate will also be blocked. Access from Colonial, Amelia and Hughey will be obstructed, but the OBT and Gore street ramps will remain open.
The closure is scheduled for one night only but it will still be a major detour for overnight drivers through the five-hour timetable.
The closing of the interstate is an important step in order to complete a list of routine repairs and clean-up work along the popular roads.
And while it is just one night this time around, more closures will be coming up around the 408 bridges in the next few weeks.
“We need to widen westbound 408 over I-4 so coming up in August, we'll have some additional closures for that work," Parks said.
All blockages and detours will be clearly marked with about a dozen police officers on scene at every intersection that will be impacted.
Drivers are also encouraged to make alternate plans to avoid the highway with other routes including the 429 and 417.