The state picked the construction company that will expand I-4, saying they had the best plan to help ease congestion on the highway.
The new and improved I-4 will have more lanes, along with express toll lanes for people who are willing to pay a toll to bypass slower traffic.
Florida Dept. of Transportation said it chose the firm with the best plan for the lowest price.
FDOT’s selection committee awarded the more than $2 billion contract to “I-4 Mobility Partners,” saying out of the four finalists, the firm can provide the best of both worlds.
“It’s not just price," said Noranne Downs with FDOT. "There are a lot of enhancements that the technical team graded on.”
The so-called I-4 Ultimate Project will add additional lanes to I-4 from State Road 434 in Seminole County down to Kirkman Road in Orange County.
There will be express toll lanes along that 21-mile stretch of interstate in addition to those express lanes. I-4 Mobility Partners also plans to connect those express lanes to State Road 408, in addition to regular lanes of traffic.
I-4 Mobility Partners will also maintain the expansion for the next 40 years.
Many Seminole County drivers who have no choice but to use I-4 to get into downtown Orlando say it’s about time.
“At eight in the morning, and then rush-hour coming home," said commuter Amy Gates. "It’s a mess.”
But the mess will get worse before it gets better. The I-4 expansion is expected to start in early 2015, but will take until 2021 to complete. We asked the construction firm about how it will manage all of the traffic on I-4 during those six years of construction.
“We have a very good MOT Plan, meaning maintenance of traffic," said Cesar Souza with I-4 Mobility Partners. "So we’re going to make sure to work with stakeholders and the traffic to make sure it flows well.”
“I think it could take a little less time, but I don’t know, I guess it will be better in the long-run,” Gates said.
While FDOT has decided on a construction firm, the deal won’t be official until this summer.