Adam RollinsAs part of Florida’s Moving Interstate 4 Forward initiative, the state has authorized $1.7 billion to accelerate the expansion of the Interstate 4 corridor. The funding will expedite three road projects slated for construction in 2026, utilizing an innovative Modified Phased Design-Build (MPDB) method to streamline the preliminary development process.
The project is designed to widen the existing corridor from six lanes to 12 lanes, doubling the number of available travel options along a 14-mile stretch of roadway. The lanes will be divided into eight general lanes – four in each direction – and four express lanes to provide critical congestion relief.
Project 1 of the program covers 2.6 miles, connecting the east of World Drive to U.S. 192. The road’s focus will be on roadway safety and connectivity and will be configured with three general use lanes and two new express lanes in each direction. The project’s vision includes installing additional ramps to better connect the toll road to the State Road (SR) 417 toll road and to the I-4 express lanes. Replaced toll plazas on SR 417 and I-4 interchange upgrades are also slotted to improve the highway infrastructure and safety measures.
The second project will extend from Country Road (CR) 532 to the west of World Drive, a 3.1-mile stretch of road. This will include improvements to the SR 429 interchange, primarily revolving around adding new ramps. The final I-4 configuration for this section of the project will consist of four general-use lanes and two express lanes in each direction, as well as additional direct connectors. The project will also build a bridge and widen connecting roads from two to four lanes with sidewalks and bicycle lanes, as well as various other enhancements to nearby roads.
The final project receiving a portion of the funds – titled Project 5 – will involve building the Ponciana Connector between CR 532 and SR 429. The new 3.5-mile road will include three lanes in each direction with the potential for expansion to four lanes. The design includes multiple ramps connecting to CR 532.
In a break with tradition, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will execute a new building process instead of the design-build or phased design-build methods. The MPDB is intended to accelerate the construction timeline, bypassing an otherwise time-consuming process that leads to higher project costs due to inflation or negatively affects competitiveness and innovation.
The MPDB approach adapts these traditional methods, taking their best practices and infusing collaboration into the process. Instead of choosing just one contractor, FDOT will select three firms to create an innovative, cost-effective plan. As a result, the MPDB will accelerate both planning and construction, allowing the state to finish the project well ahead of its estimated schedule.
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