Delays on Interstate 4 can be tough to handle at times through downtown Orlando, especially since "I-4 Ultimate" construction started.
- EB I-4 traffic in downtown Orlando shifted for I-4 Ultimate work
- Conflicting lines on roadway seemed to confuse motorists
- Business owner nearby: Drivers didn't seem to slow down
- RELATED: Downtown Orlando I-4 traffic to shift onto temporary bridges
"Always it's, 'Oh, I hope the traffic is not there. I hope today it is clearer. I hope it doesn't take that long," said Kitty Khanna, owner of Mel Johnson's Flower Shop off of Colonial Drive.
On Monday morning, Khanna made her way to work for the first time since the I-4 Ultimate Project underwent what transportation officials numbered the 88th traffic shift. It was a 1-mile eastbound stretch of I-4 between Anderson Street and Amelia Street in the heart of downtown Orlando.
Khanna said drivers did not take well to the shift initially.
"They were kind of in between the lanes and people honking here and there,” Khanna said. “So you have to be much slower."
Although traffic shifts have been numerous since I-4 underwent reconstruction, a handful of people contacted us to say they were confused, mainly because of the seemingly conflicting lines painted on the roadway, leading to big delays.
"People are not trying to stay in the lines,” Khanna said. “Maybe they are used to the straightness of this thing. And the whole thing is curving. People did not slow down as much."
As part of the new shift, transportation officials said white stripes, contrasting black stripes and reflective pavement markers were installed to outline the new lanes, which are temporary until new bridges for I-4 in the area are installed. An additional portable message board was placed in the area.
Officials said they will also be adding solid stripes at the upstream transition that leads into the realignment.
The Florida Department of Transportation received enough feedback this past week to issue a statement regarding the shift, saying:
"From the ground perspective, we are able to see where old lane striping was removed. The lane striping was removed by a combination of grinding and water blasting. Some of the roadway might now have a brighter texture where striping once was."
So far, no serious accidents have occurred as a result of the traffic shift, but Sky 13 caught several vehicles weaving in and out of the new and old lanes, seemingly a little confused to where traffic should be shifted.