New I-4 overpass could alleviate some traffic woes near Disney

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A new overpass that opened Thursday over the tourist sector of Interstate 4 is expected to ease traffic congestion in the area.

A ribbon-cutting officially opened the bridge, which connects Palm Parkway and International Drive between the Beachline Expressway and County Road 535.

There was a lengthy stretch of road through the area with no way across I-4 before the bridge opened.

The hope is the 1.3-mile stretch of road, called Fenton Street, will help traffic congestion on other roads that cross the interstate.

Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd told Channel 9 that plans are in the works to make Fenton Street an I-4 interchange with entrance and exit ramps.

"With so many of the convention goers coming to the convention center, 100,000 at some of our major shows to 40,000, it's going to provide another connection point for that area," said Boyd.

It is hoped that an interchange would help alleviate traffic on Sand Lake Road and CR 535.

Most of the land for the roadway was donated by landowners hoping to cash in later with big development and increased land values, Channel 9 learned.

WFTV