Exit closure, ramp changes and partially closed roads on I-4

Watch out: The roads you take into and around downtown Orlando during your morning commute might not be where you thought they were.

The Florida Department of Transportation said there are several changes to traffic patterns near Interstate 4.

The eastbound I-4 exit ramp to South Street, currently combined with the eastbound I-4 exit to State Road 408, shifted into its final alignment. The new exit begins approximately a quarter-mile farther east than the current exit location.

FDOT officials said the exit to S.R. 408 will not change.

The eastbound I-4 entrance ramp from Michigan Street closed Friday. FDOT said drivers wanting to access eastbound I-4 will need to use the new temporary entrance ramp to eastbound I-4 from Kaley Avenue, which opened Saturday morning.

FDOT said the entrance ramp to eastbound I-4 from Orange Blossom Trail is also shifting slightly from its current location. Drivers will now need to be in the left lane after crossing Michigan Street to continue to eastbound I-4.

FDOT said the temporary configurations of the Kaley Avenue, Michigan Street and Orange Blossom Trail ramps will be in place for approximately one year to allow crews to safely construct permanent eastbound I-4 lanes.

Field biologist Jimmie Torregrosa, of Sanford, keeps track of all the I-4 changes.

“Looking at the news and the traffic and the weather is always prime when I leave the house,” he said.

He rides a motorcycle and, from work, he has to drive to different sites and wetlands. To avoid I-4 chaos, he’s started getting on the road earlier.

"My office doesn’t open until 8 a.m. I got to my office this morning before 6:30 and I’d rather wait in the parking lot if I have to, the wait in traffic. (It’s) more dangerous, Torregrosa said.