POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Relief is on the way for people who drive I-4.
Governor Ron DeSantis said they made a promise to deliver congestion relief lanes through one of the busiest sections of I-4 by the end of this year.
On Monday, DeSantis announced lanes that run in both directions between US-27 in Polk County and World Drive in Osceola County will open beginning the week of April 28, which is eight months ahead of schedule.
"This will be really a sigh of relief I think for a lot of people," said Governor DeSantis. "It doesn't solve everything, because we've got a lot of Championsgate projects, and some of these others, Poinciana Parkway, that's all moving, and it's going to be delivered way earlier than had we not done Moving Florida Forward, but in the meantime, this is something that's really, really meaningful."
Back in February, ABC Action News shared how FDOT expedited the construction of additional lanes along 7.5 miles of I-4.
WATCH: Video of additional lanes from FDOT
Officials said the extra lanes will help improve traffic flow and let people get where they need to go safer and faster.
Drivers admit that trying to get anywhere while using I-4 typically means hitting major slowdowns.
"Keep your patience, stay calm, because you're going to be sitting for a while," said driver Donna Sailers.
"If you leave past 12pm on a Saturday afternoon, it's going to be horrible," said driver Naya Rodriguez. "You're going to see at least an accident or two on your way."
FDOT prioritizing the construction of these two additional lanes will give drivers congestion relief. The Moving I-4 Forward Program is made up of five main projects.
"To keep hitting stone walls trying to resolve the matter—that’s not consumer friendly"
A retired law enforcement officer thought he took all the right steps when someone stole his identity and opened a new phone line, but he was still left with the bill.
