The first ramp of the new Interstate 4 and Florida 408 Toll interchange opened this morning, carrying drivers from the eastbound toll road to the northbound freeway. A $120 million project is underway to replace some of the original movements between the East-West Tollway and Interstate 4. Included in this initial project is a new flyover to carry westbound Florida 408 to eastbound Interstate 4, the directional loop ramp that opened today, and a new Anderson Road overpass and connecting ramps. Work on these projects will be completed between Spring and Fall of 2008.

Two new diagrammatical overheads partition drivers bound for Interstate 4 into separate ramps from eastbound Florida 408 Toll. Previously all traffic departed in unison via a trumpet interchange onto a connecting roadway before choosing east or west Interstate 4 at a second trumpet. The configuration is typical for older toll roads, where a toll plaza would reside between the two trumpet interchanges.

Traffic destined for Interstate 4 east now departs via the new Exit 10B off-ramp.

Continuing along the new Exit 10B from Florida 408 Toll eastbound.

Signs advise a 25 mph speed limit on the tight loop ramp that ultimately curves drivers from an easterly direction to a northerly one. Construction is also underway nearby on a new northbound off-ramp from Interstate 4 east to downtown.

Merging onto Interstate 4 east (north) ahead of the new Exit 10B overpass just traveled.

Additional phases of the project will replace more of the trumpet to trumpet interchange movements that continue to link Interstate 4 and Florida 408 Toll with high-speed ramps. Construction however will be an ongoing process at the interchange for years to come. See Trans4mation.org for details on the overall project.

In related news, the Gore Street off-ramp of Interstate 4 westbound closed permamently February 10, 2008 as part of the overall Interstate 4 reconstruction project.

Source:

“New S.R. 408, I-4 ramp will open Tuesday.” Orlando Sentinel, February 11, 2008.