ORLANDO, Fla. — As the Florida Department of Transportation marks one year of operating dedicated I-4 Express lanes, the state agency is already looking at expanding toll lanes on the interstate in Central Florida.

What You Need To Know

  • I-4 Express lanes opened in Central Florida in February of 2022

  • Officials said that since then, an average of 28,000 drivers use the I-4 Express lanes every day

  • Florida Department of Transportation officials say they plan to extend I-4 Express from Universal Orlando to U.S. 27 in Polk County

FDOT officials said 50 new drivers use I-4 Express lanes every week.

The toll lanes, two in each direction, currently run from Longwood south to the area of Sand Lake Road at Universal Orlando.

Data show that over 10 million trips have been taken on I-4 Express lanes — with an average of 28,000 drivers using them every day — to avoid backups in the main, free lanes of I-4.

“I’ve seen a huge difference in using the express lanes,” said Steve Boyd, a resident who often drives in the area around the attractions. “You can see using the express lanes isn’t that expensive, and it tells you how much it is, and honestly, if you don’t want to be stuck in a bunch of traffic, the express lanes are the way to go.”

Right now, the lanes cost a flat rate of 50 cents per segment on I-4 Express. But looking ahead, FDOT officials say the pricing on the express lanes will change sometime in the first half of 2023 to take the busiest times of day into account.

FDOT leaders say they hope the express lanes will help other congested spots on I-4.

Work is already underway to build an I-4 Express lane, from Universal Orlando to near Walt Disney World at State Road 536/Epcot Center Drive. Called the “Tube,” FDOT officials say it will consist of a single toll lane on I-4 west.

After that, officials say plans are in place to build more express lanes in Osceola County. Under a proposal from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, two express lanes would be built in each direction from Osceola Parkway to ChampionsGate, and eventually to U.S. 27 in Polk County.

The missing gap, I-4 east from State Road 536/Epcot Center Drive north to Universal Orlando is also a part of the long-term plan. Which will include a single express lane to match the “Tube” on I-4 east.

“The more (express) lanes they have down there will maybe make it a little more user friendly coming off those exits to merge in,” said Boyd.