A major traffic change along I-4 in downtown Orlando was put in place early Monday morning.

All westbound lanes from Ivanhoe Boulevard to State Road 50 have been shifted to the east. The switch will stay in place for the next two years.

The lane shift was supposed to happen a week ago, but crews waited to make sure that the pavement was ready and that weather wouldn’t ruin their work.

It’s the first big change in the $2.3-billion I-4 Ultimate Project.

“This is a time to put the phone down,” Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes said. “If you haven’t done it before, this is the absolute time. The lanes are going to be a little bit closer together, so drivers have a little less room for error."

And that’s another reason officials are urging drivers to mind the posted speed limit of 50 mph and reminding them that speeding in a work zone could mean a minimum fine of $200.  

This is just the first of many traffic changes. Six weeks from now, the eastbound lanes around Ivanhoe will experience the same traffic shift.

Workers will be rebuilding 21 miles of I-4, from west of Kirkman Road, in Orange County, to east of State Road 434, in Seminole County.

Toll lanes will also be built. Those lanes will have fluctuating rates based on the time of day. Other beautifications in the project include fountains, lights and trees.