Dump truck becomes suspended in air after hitting an overpass, officials say
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. โ First responders were called to a crash Saturday after a dump truck hit an overpass. According to officials, the crash caused the front of the truck to be โsuspended in the air.โThe crash happened on Interstate 4 and State Road 436 near mile marker 92. Driver successfully extricated; DOT engineers en route. โThe driver was successfully extricated by crews and was treated for minor injuries at the scene,โ first responders said. No lanes were closed to traffic as crews worked to remove the truck.
Sinkhole closes portion of SR 35 for emergency repair work in Marion County
A portion of State Road 35 closed on Monday to complete emergency repair work on a sinkhole in Marion County, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. FDOT officials said they estimate the sinkhole to be around 35 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep. The road will be closed from SE 92nd Place Road to the north of Dogwood road, according to officials. The county is asking drivers to try and avoid the area if possible and seek alternate routes. Marion County officials made a post about the road closure on Facebook.
I-4 travel temporarily reduced to one lane through Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Travel has temporarily been reduced to one lane on Interstate 4 in Orlando as construction efforts ramp up during the coronavirus pandemic. During the closures, drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes or use SunRail as a travel option to avoid delays. Officials are hoping to make significant progress on I-4 construction while many businesses remain closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and fewer cars are on the road. The original start time for the reduced I-4 travel was scheduled for Wednesday night but was postponed until Thursday due to demolition work getting completed earlier this week, according to FDOT. Drivers should also allow for extra time if trying to navigate through the downtown Orlando area, according to FDOT.
Deputies: Florida man made bomb threat to avoid work
WELLINGTON, Fla. โ A Florida construction worker called in a bomb threat to a water treatment facility to get a day off work, authorities said. Richard Hamilton, 36, was arrested Thursday and charged with making a bomb threat, the Palm Beach Post reported. More than 20 people evacuated Wellington's water treatment plant shortly after the threatening 911 call around 7 a.m. Thursday, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. The sheriffโs bomb squad, a bomb dog and drones searched Hamiltonโs vehicle and the surrounding area and found no evidence of a bomb, the sheriffโs office said. Wellington's water service was not affected, village officials said.
Ready to tackle home improvement projects now that you finally have some time? 5 tips
More time at home has turned into more of an opportunity to do various home improvement projects, although that sometimes can be dangerous. Scott Frankel, co-president of Frankel Building Group in Texas, offered five tips for those who are currently attempting or about to start home renovation projects while quarantined. They arenโt things that are going to necessarily wow your neighbor, but they need to be done.โDonโt bring in outside workers. Itโs a real easy way to throw your back out or slip off of a ladder.โClean out items you donโt need anymore. โWhen you go to a professional and you say that this is what you want to do, your ideas are organized,โ Frankel said.
I-4 construction shifts busy exit ramp into final configuration
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Construction crews shifted a busy Orlando Interstate 4 exit ramp into its final configuration for the I-4 Ultimate Project, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The I-4 eastbound exit to South Street (Exit 82B), and eastbound entrance ramps from Kaley Avenue and Michigan Street have changed. Changes include:The eastbound I-4 exit ramp to South Street, currently combined with the eastbound I-4 exit to State Road 408, is shifting into its final alignment as soon as Saturday morning. The eastbound I-4 entrance ramp from Michigan Street will close as soon as Friday. Drivers wanting to access eastbound I-4 will need to use the new temporary entrance ramp to eastbound I-4 from Kaley Avenue scheduled to open Saturday morning.
I-4 construction shifts busy exit ramp into final configuration
I-4 construction shifts busy exit ramp into final configurationPublished: February 24, 2020, 10:29 amConstruction crews shifted a busy Orlando Interstate 4 exit ramp into its final configuration for the I-4 Ultimate Project, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Gas line explosion sparks fire, burns construction worker
OCALA, Fla. โ A construction worker was rushed to a hospital Friday after a gas line exploded, sparking a fire on an Ocala construction site, according to city officials. Emergency responders from the Ocala Fire Department said they were called to the intersection of Northeast 25th St. and Northeast 26th Ave. just after noon for the report of a gas line explosion. Crews arrived within three minutes of the explosion to find an active gas line fire with tall flames burning behind a construction vehicle, according to a news release. Officials said the driver of the truck was transported to the hospital for burns, and later determined the gas line was ruptured during routine construction operations. The Ocala Police Department and TECO gas company also responded to the scene.
Uh Oh: Lake Helen home mistakenly built on city-owned land
LAKE HELEN, Fla. โ A home that was built on city-owned land in Lake Helen by mistake could be moved, according to the builder. Instead, he said the home was built 60 feet to the west, which put it on park land owned by the City of Lake Helen. City of Lake Helen officials issued this Stop Work Order after a home was mistakenly built on city-owned property. (WKMG)On Thursday night, the city council met to discuss what to do with the home that was nearly finished. Lake Helen city council members met on Thursday to discuss a home that was mistakenly built on city-owned land.
Man falls 35 feet at construction site in Winter Garden
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. โ A construction worker was injured Monday after Orange County Fire Rescue officials said he tumbled at least 35 feet at a Winter Garden construction site. The 21-year-old man was working at the construction site at 1:51 p.m. on Flamingo Crossings Boulevard when he fell, according to Orange County Fire Rescue public information officer Mike Jachles. The construction site is west of State Road 429 and south of Western Way. Jachles said the worker was on scaffolding when he fell about three stories. The man suffered minor injuries considering the height of the fall, Jachles said, and was fully conscious when he was taken to the hospital.
As another year of I-4 construction begins, relief is coming
As another year of I-4 construction begins, relief is comingPublished: January 28, 2020, 6:37 pmAs the I-4 Ultimate project enters its fifth year of construction, many motorists are ready for work on the 21 miles of interstate improvements to be complete.
I-4 Ultimate closes Lee Road on-ramp, Fairbanks off-ramp for temporary lane shift
Cole Vanthof said he tries his best to avoid I-4, but he said he needed to use the interstate and didn't realize he couldn't get on I-4 westbound at Lee Road. RELATED: I-4 Ultimate to close Fairbanks Avenue off-ramp through WednesdayPolice are also preventing drivers from using the entrance ramp onto the interstate. The ramp is shut down over the weekend as a temporary shift goes into place on westbound I-4 between Lee Road and Fairbanks Avenue. They are closing the Lee Road on-ramp through Monday morning and the Fairbanks Avenue off-ramp through at least Wednesday. This marks the latest lane shift and closures as part of the I-4 Ultimate Project, which will expand 21 miles of the interstate.
Construction workers injured in crane accident in Viera
VIERA, Fla. โ Two workers were hospitalized Saturday after being trapped in a crane accident and collapse in Brevard County, investigators said. Officials with the Brevard County Fire Rescue learned of the situation Saturday morning. Units arrived and found a roof assembly that had fallen to the ground with workers freeing the two trapped workers with a piece of heavy equipment, according to a brief statement from BCFR authorities. 1 person transported to local hospital with NLT injuries and 1 trauma alert flown to a trauma center via @Health_First First Flight. The incident took place on Metfield Drive in Viera, at the site of a motel under construction.