ORLANDO, Fla. — "I-4 Ultimate" construction will be very active this weekend and Daytona 500 traffic is sure to cause slowdowns as well.

As for the I-4 Ultimate project, be prepared for some slowdowns just before downtown Orlando.

While several on- and off-ramps will be closed, we’re focusing on two through lanes of westbound I-4 at Ivanhoe Boulevard (mile marker 84) that will be closed intermittently Friday through Sunday from 9:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

The big story of the weekend, however, will be traffic heading to Volusia County, especially on Sunday for the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway.

The best advice we can give is to leave as early as possible.

With the race starting at 2:30 p.m., that means the late morning and early afternoon hours will see heavy congestion on I-4 eastbound approaching Interstate 95. I-95 will be slow approaching Daytona Beach in both directions, and we are also expecting congestion on State Road 50 and the roads surrounding Daytona International Speedway.

Expect those trends to essentially reverse when the race ends, heading away from Daytona Beach in the late afternoon to early evening hours.

Even if you travel to the event every year, area traffic patterns near the speedway have changed recently because of I-95 construction approaching its final stages. The Florida Department of Transportation says it is putting extra signage up this year to help drivers navigate the new traffic patterns.

In addition, real time traffic information will appear on overhead dynamic message signs and be communicated on FL511.

Road Rangers will also be patrolling the area if you need assistance on I-95 this weekend during the hours of 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and on I-4 from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Dial *347 to contact one if you are need of assistance.

Remember to sign up for traffic alerts. You can get live traffic information and look at traffic cameras in real time by going to mynews13.com/traffic.