Traffic

I-4 ULTIMATE: New way to access I-4 from Colonial Drive could back up traffic, residents say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The next time you get on I-4 from Colonial Drive, you could get an unpleasant surprise.

As of Monday morning, the old entrance ramp from westbound Colonial Drive to westbound I-4 closed.

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Instead of exiting Colonial Drive in a typical right lane, drivers will now have to turn left from a new traffic light.

Workers hit a few snags Monday morning while the new ramp. It opened two hours behind schedule, backing up traffic before it even opened. An FDOT spokesperson said workers were not able to get lines painted and signal equipment installed on time.

Drivers in the area are concerned that having to wait at a traffic light will cause congestion.

“People like to block intersections here so I can see that being a problem,” said Terrence Donnlley, who owns a business in the area.

Slideshow: I-4 Ultimate -- What will it look like when it's done?

“The longest anyone would have to wait is three minutes for that entire [traffic light] cycle,” said I-4 Ultimate spokesperson David Parks.

The ramp that closed this weekend still needs to be torn down and a new road needs to be built in its place.

There is a silver lining for drivers: The new ramp that opened Monday morning won't change anymore. It's now in its permanent spot, and the new light installed is only temporary.

Eventually the three traffic lights will be controlled by just one.

“There will be a permanent light that's there that's right underneath I-4, so eventually this light goes away,” Parks said.

I-4 officials said they will have extra workers watching the traffic flow and will make adjustments to the traffic light times if necessary.

What changed? Watch the video below: