Traffic shift planned for 2 busy Orange County roads; temporary lane to stay for a year

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Central Florida tops worst traffic list and I-4 gets special mention

Traffic on Interstate 4 can be a nightmare. In fact, two areas of that highway in Central Florida were ranked among the worst in the nation, and one of those areas is right by the theme parks. But there’s a glimmer of hope as we have learned of new details from the Florida Department of Transportation about plans to alleviate the congestion.

Traffic will be shifted starting Monday in an effort to widen two busy roads, Orange County announced Friday. 

The two roads are Econlockhatchee Trail from south of Lake Underhill Road to north of the 408, and Lake Underhill Road near the intersection with Econlockhatchee.

Westbound traffic on Lake Underhill will shift onto a temporary lane that has been paved next to the existing lane. Eastbound traffic will shift onto the existing westbound lane. 

Traffic is being shifted off the westbound lane of Lake Underhill to make space for construction crews to start installing box culverts through the canal along the roadway. 

The traffic shift and temporary paved lane will remain for about a year, the county said. Once complete, traffic will be moved onto the newly constructed roadway over the box culverts along the existing drainage canal.  

When the traffic shift is complete, temporary concrete barrier walls will be installed on both sides of Lake Underhill. 

Traffic shifted on busy stretch of I-4 in Orange County near theme parks until 2024, FDOT says

Traffic on a major stretch of Interstate-4 in Orange County has shifted to make way for construction crews to complete work as part of a planned Florida Department of Transportation project near SeaWorld Orlando.

Drivers are urged to follow signs during the traffic shift. 

This traffic shift is part of the $66.7 million Econlockhatchee Trail Improvement Project, which is scheduled to be complete by the first quarter of 2026.