I-4 project to cause parking hassles at Amway Center in downtown Orlando

The Big Drive to overhaul 21-mile stretch of I-4 in Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite the Magic 95-83 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando fans walked out of Amway Center with an optimistic outlook. However, that might soon change.

The Ultimate I-4 Construction Project that will impact a 21-mile stretch of Interstate 4 between Kirkman Road and State Road 434 will begin soon.

Project Manager Loreen Bobo said some of that construction will impact parking garages under I-4 near downtown, across from the Amway Center, where the Magic play.

"We're going to be doing some pretty extensive work in those areas," Bobo said. "We can't have people parking underneath."

The news was delivered Wednesday evening at an I-4 Project meeting that was open to the public.  Many Magic fans were caught off guard by the announcement.

"How are we going to get to downtown?" one fan asked. "It's going to cause so much congestion traffic."

The project is expected to impact parking lots near Church Street, but it's not known exactly when the closures will happen or how long they will last. Still, some Magic fans said any closure is a major hassle.

"Even if it was just one weekend, it would affect everyone's business down here," another Magic fan said. "Employees are struggling to find parking, plus the visitors. It's going to be crazy."


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