ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — I-4’s newest interchange may open sooner than expected.

A Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman now says the I-4 and Daryl Carter Parkway ramps could open this spring.

What You Need To Know

  • FDOT estimates ramps between I-4 and Daryl Carter interchange will open this spring

  • Interchange will alleviate congestion at I-4 and State Road 535

  • Crews are working six days instead of five to finish the project this year

Work began in 2022, and was expected to be finished in 2026.

“We learned that the contractor has changed the work schedule from five days to six days per week,” said FDOT District 5 Public Information Director Cindi Lane.

FDOT is building three ramps that could open up this spring, with the rest of the project finished this summer.

The project also includes a diverging diamond interchange.

The interchange is designed to alleviate congestion at the I-4 and State Road 535 interchange and provide new access to the O-Town West development.

Flippers Pizzeria Chief Operating Officer Ben Richardson says they relocated their restaurant to O-Town West from the Crossroads partly because of the new I-4 interchange.

“When we were at our previous location in the Crossroads, you know, paying attention to I-4 and what's going on became very important,” said Richardson. “So, it's great to know that we're going to get some more traffic through this area and that certainly excited us about being over here.”

The famed Crossroads area was demolished so FDOT could build a new ramp at the I-4 and State Road 535 interchange.

FDOT has multiple projects ongoing in the attractions area right now.