SR 408 to close in both directions for sign replacement

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — For the first time in five years, both directions of State Road 408 will close so crews can replace a large traffic sign.

The work will cause the highway to close at 10 p.m. Thursday and reopen 5 a.m. Friday.

"If they are not finished by 5 the next morning, there are going to be a lot of angry, late-to-work people," said driver Sam Butler.

A crash involving a dump truck took down the sign that hung over SR 408 near Orange Blossom Trail last March. Now crews plan to replace the sign and traffic will be detoured off the highway.

Officials said SR 408 westbound drivers will be diverted onto Long Street and eastbound drivers will have to use Carter Street.

The Expressway Authority said the contractor for the project has an incentive to get the highway reopened by 5 a.m. If not, the company will have to pay a fine of $1,000 for every minute they run over the allotted time.

"A thousand dollars a minute? Wow, yeah that's a lot so they'll have it done," said Butler.

Local tax dollars won't be paying for the repair. The Expressway Authority told Channel 9 the company that owned the dump truck that took down the sign is covering the $500,000 project cost.

WFTV