Osceola County, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Osceola County are holding a public hearing regarding design plans for improvements to Interstate 4 (I-4) and County Road (C.R.) 532 near ChampionsGate in Osceola County at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.

The purpose of these projects is to provide operational and safety improvements to the I-4 and C.R. 532 interchange, as well as on I-4 between C.R. 532 and State Road (S.R.) 429. The public hearing is being held to present information and obtain public input regarding the proposed designs.

Projects to be presented at the public hearing are:

•                  I-4 and C.R. 532 Interchange Reconfiguration (Financial Project Identification (FPID) No. 444187-1): These design plans reconfigure the I-4 and C.R. 532 interchange to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) to improve safety and operations in the area. This is a joint project between Osceola County and FDOT. The county is designing the project and FDOT will oversee its construction. A DDI removes turns across oncoming traffic to help increase traffic flow. The project will also add bike lanes and sidewalks along C.R. 532 for improved bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and safety. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2021.

•                  I-4 Auxiliary Lane Additions (FPID No. 444329-1): This FDOT project includes the addition of new eastbound and westbound I-4 auxiliary lanes, one in each direction, between the ramps of S.R. 429 and C.R. 532, as well as an auxiliary lane on northbound S.R. 429 between I-4 and Sinclair Road. The westbound I-4 exit ramp and the eastbound I-4 entrance ramp at the C.R. 532 interchange will also be widened to two lanes to increase traffic flow and capacity. The project includes milling and resurfacing S.R. 429 between I-4 and Sinclair Road. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2021.

•                  I-4 Milling and Resurfacing (FPID No. 443958-1): Plans for this FDOT project will mill and resurface eastbound and westbound I-4 from the Polk-Osceola County line to west of S.R. 417. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2021.

The Department is offering two ways for the community to participate in the hearing. Interested persons may join the Virtual Public Hearing (VPH) from a computer, tablet or phone. Or, they may participate in person by going to the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in the Osceola County Conference Center, 1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate. All participants, regardless of platform they choose, will participate in the same live hearing.

A VPH is a free, live presentation or webinar over the internet. If you wish to participate in the VPH online from an electronic device or by phone, please register in advance by going to: www.I4Beyond.com/ChampionsGate. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the VPH online. To participate in the public hearing over the phone, call 844-276-FDOT (3368).

For those who choose to participate in person, the Department requests advance registration to ensure all attendees are accommodated safely and according to social distancing guidelines. Per local ordinances, attendees will be required to wear masks and follow any other local guidelines. Attendees who are not feeling well should not attend the in-person meeting. To register for the in-person option, please contact Su Hao, P.E., FDOT Project Manager, at 386-943-5161, or by email at Su.Hao@dot.state.fl.us.

The VPH and in-person meeting location open at 5:30 p.m. A formal narrated PowerPoint presentation will begin promptly at 5:45 p.m., followed by a formal public comment period. If joining online, please provide adequate log-in time to view the presentation in its entirety.

All meeting materials, including the presentation, will be available on the project website at http://www.i4beyond.com/ChampionsGate prior to the meeting.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator at Jennifer.Smith2@dot.state.fl.us.

Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact David Parks, Community Outreach Specialist at 844-858-4636, or by email at DavidParks@i4ultimate.com at least seven (7) days prior to the VPH.

Written comments regarding the proposed design of the I-4 and C.R. 532 interchange may be submitted by mail to Conroy Jacobs, Osceola County Project Manager, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 3100, Kissimmee, FL 34741, or by email to Conroy.Jacobs@osceola.org, by Monday, September 28, 2020.

Written comments regarding the I-4 improvements between C.R. 532 and S.R. 429 may be submitted by mail to Su Hao, FDOT Project Manager, 719 S. Woodland Blvd., MS 542, DeLand, FL 32720, or by email to Su.Hao@dot.state.fl.us,. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, please send your comments by Monday, September 28, 2020 to be included in the records for this public hearing.

Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at FDOT-D5COMM@dot.state.fl.us or by phone at 386-943-5479. Information about these projects are also available online at www.I4Beyond.com/ChampionsGate.

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