ORLANDO, Fla. – Thousands of drivers will see a major change in one of Central Florida’s most congested areas.
The Florida Department of Transportation announced that Sand Lake Road at I-4 will become a “diverging diamond” interchange, opening as early as Friday.
The change means that traffic in each direction will shift to the opposite sides of Sand Lake Road, under I-4.
FDOT officials said the change means travelers will be able to turn onto I-4 without having to make a left. The traffic pattern then shifts back to the right side of the road on the other side of the I-4 overpass.
Drivers will see new signs, roadway striping and orange barrels to help guide them through the interchange.
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The change is meant to increase traffic flow and safety, but it also gives construction crews space to work on other changes coming to the intersection.
Orlando resident Ryan Gottermeier believes the diverging diamond pattern will help with a very busy intersection.
“I think it’ll be fantastic. Half the time it’s because someone’s pulled out and traffic’s stopped because there’s cars there,” Gottermeier said.
Matt Mitchell also lives in Orlando, and he says it could sometimes take 20 minutes to get through the intersection. He says switching to the diverging diamond pattern is worth a try.
“They could be a little confusing at first, but after a while it seems people can understand the pattern,” Mitchell said.
FDOT is expanding its I-4 express lanes from Kirkman Road down to the attractions area, including through Sand Lake Road.
Crews will also create a new loop for people driving on Sand Lake Road who wish to get onto Turkey Lake Road south, which means drivers would no longer have to make a left from Sand Lake Road onto Turkey Lake Road. They are also creating a new westbound exit ramp from I-4 that will split into two ramps — one for Sand Lake Road, and one for Turkey Lake Road.
More details are available on the Florida Department of Transportation website.
The project is expected to be finished in 2027.
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