FPID#: 442512-1

Project Webpage: www.swflinterstates.com/i4-corridor/442512-1

The Department has conducted a Managed Lanes Study that evaluated the future needs of the I-4 Corridor in District One. This study evaluated strategies for the mainline and interchanges, including managed lanes, that will improve accessibility, mobility, and safety. Results of this study were documented  in this corridors Master Plan.

FPID: 430185-2
Project webpage: www.swflroads.com/project/430185-2

This project is located within the City of Lakeland and in unincorporated Polk County, Florida.  Most of the area surrounding the project consists of residential neighborhoods, with industrial uses clustered at the I-4/SR 33 interchange.  Teneroc Fish Management Area is south of the project.  This section of SR 33 provides a key connection between Lakeland (from the west) to the Florida Polytechnic University campus (to the east).

During design project details are set, construction documents are prepared, and permits are obtained.  Based on the PD&E Study results, the project has been divided into two design segments.

Segment One (FPID:  430185-4)
Segment One is the section of SR 33 from Old Combee Road to south of University Boulevard. The typical section for Segment One is a four-lane divided urban roadway. This urban typical section has two 11-foot travel lanes in each direction which are separated by a 22-foot median. Curb and gutter will be located along the median and outside lanes. Ditches along both sides of the roadway provide for collection and treatment of stormwater runoff. A 10-foot sidewalk is along the west side of the road and a 10-foot wide shared use path is along the east side. The existing two-lane SR 33 roadway will be reconstructed. Currently, right-of-way acquisition is funded for 2021 and construction is not funded.

Segment Two (FPID:  430185-3)
Segment Two is the section of SR 33 from south of University Boulevard to north of Tomkow Road. In this segment, I-4 crosses over SR 33 with two parallel bridges. The existing overhead bridge clearance of 14 feet nine inches does not meet the minimum required clearance of 16 feet six inches. In addition, the area under the bridges is not wide enough for the four-lane widening of SR 33. A full reconstruction of the interchange is required. As in Segment One, the existing two-lane SR 33 roadway will be reconstructed. Currently, right-of-way acquisition is funded for 2021 and construction is funded for 2028.

FPID: 201215-3
Project webpage: www.swflroads.com/project/201215-3

The Design-Build Team is in the process of replacing the existing partial cloverleaf interchange with a new diamond configuration. The new interchange is designed to improve traffic circulation and enhance safety, emergency access, and truck access in Polk County, Florida. The project is located at Exit 48 along the I-4 corridor.

The intent of the project is to prepare the median along I-4 to accommodate the future I-4 Master Plan (Ultimate) improvements with provisions for special purpose (express) lanes and a high-speed rail (HSR) corridor. The existing eastbound and westbound general use travel lanes will be moved to the outside to coincide with the I-4 Ultimate alignment.

SR 557 will be widened to four travel lanes, two in each direction within the limits of the state’s limited access right-of-way, with roadway transitions to the existing two-lane County Road (CR 557), north and south of the interchange.

The old two-lane bridge over I-4 has been demolished and replaced with a new four lane bridge that accommodates the necessary horizontal and vertical clearances over the I-4 Ultimate corridor. Motorists are now using the new bridge including the new dual teardrop shaped roundabouts that provide access to and from SR 557 at the I-4 on and off-ramps. Motorists should expect several changes to the traffic pattern and use caution as crews continue working on the new ramps and new eastbound lanes, all while keeping traffic flowing during construction.

Other improvements at the new interchange include a new wildlife crossing under the interstate just east of the interchange to allow wildlife to safely cross between the north and south sides of I-4, emergency stopping locations on both the I-4 off-ramps to SR 557 and new conventional lighting along I-4 and SR 557.

For 50 years animals on either side of I-4 have been separated. The addition of the wildlife crossing is significant in providing safe passage for animals to access protected lands on both sides of the interstate, while also protecting drivers from crashes that may otherwise occur when animals do attempt to cross the roadway.

FPID: 201217-8
Project webpage: www.swflroads.com/project/201217-8

The Florida Department of Transportation along with CSX Railroad is replacing the railroad bridge crossing over I-4 in Lakeland. The bridge is located 1200 feet west of the Kathleen Road (SR 539)/I-4 interchange (Exit 31) and about 400 feet east of the West Bella Vista Street overpass.

The existing 250-foot bridge will be demolished and two new 400-foot parallel bridges will be built in its place. The longer dual bridges provide for CSX double tracking and will accommodate future expansion of I-4 without the need to disrupt traffic and reconstruct the bridges again.