The Southwest Connect™ I-4 Corridor is 27.6 miles in length and is located in Polk County.  I-4 supports vital commerce and tourism of the state as it connects employment and population centers, including Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and Daytona Beach, within central Florida. It is one of the only east-west limited access facilities in the central portion of the state along with Florida’s Turnpike. I-4 is a designated state hurricane evacuation route and part of Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) highway network. The functional classification of I-4 within the project limits is Urban Principal Arterial – Interstate.

This segment of I-4 consists of a six-lane divided typical sections. Existing right of way along the corridor ranges from approximately 300 feet to 450 feet in width. 

The Department is conducting a Planning and Feasibility Study from west of SR 570 (Polk Parkway) to west of US 27 in Polk County that makes up and will evaluate the future needs of the Southwest Connect™ I-4 Corridor in District One. This study will evaluate strategies for the mainline and interchanges, including managed lanes, that will improve accessibility, mobility, and safety. Results of this study will be documented in this corridor’s Master Plan.

The Planning and Feasibility study will analyze the existing and expected traffic, or demand, on the interstate system and document the findings in a Master Plan. The Plan will allow FDOT to focus future efforts and funding by prioritizing the most critical areas. This long-range approach provides a regional perspective to identify the areas where future demand is predicted and to assist in defining the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study limits within the I-4 corridor. Improvements identified in this Master Plan may include widening, managed lanes, modifying interchanges, and evaluating requests for new interchanges.

I-4 Corridor Limits:  Interstate 4 from west of SR 570 (Polk Parkway) to west of U.S. 27

Please visit the project website at www.swflinterstates.com/i4-corridor/ .

For convenience, FDOT is providing multiple ways to participate: at an In-Person Open House and online at the project website: www.SWFLInterstates.com/i4-corridor-VPM

The In-Person Open House will occur Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Lake Crago Recreation Center, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland, FL 33805.

The meeting materials will also be available for viewing and comment online at www.SWFLInterstates.com/i4-corridor-VPM from Tuesday, February 13 through Thursday, February 29. The online public outreach meeting materials include a virtual tour with multiple interactive stations containing video and other static displays all designed to introduce the project and study process, present information regarding existing conditions, and receive feedback. The in-person
open-house meeting will provide the same materials and information as the online meeting materials.

In addition, FDOT is hosting a LIVE Question and Answer (Q&A) Event ONLINE beginning at
5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. To register for the virtual Q&A event, please go to www.SWFLInterstates.com/i4-corridor-VPM.

To send a comment or ask a question about this project, visit www.swflinterstates.com/get-connected/.