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FDOT trying to speed up I-4 Ultimate work while roads are less congested

FDOT trying to speed up I-4 Ultimate work while roads are less congested
ADVANTAGE OF THIS BIZARRE SITUATION. WESH 2’S BOB HAZEN SHOWS US HOW IT’S ALL NEW AT 4:30. ALMOST EVERYTHING HAS GROUND TO A STOP, BUT NOT FOR THE PEOPLE, TRYING TO REBUILD I-4. OFFICIALS SAY BECAUSE THERE’S SO MUCH LESS TRAFFIC, THEY HOPE TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS PROJECT, AND OTHERS AROUND THE STATE, DONE FASTER. YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN MEM SIMILAR TO THIS ONE, SAYING, WITH EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN, FINISH I-4. TRAFFIC IS DEFINITELY A LOT LIGHTER THESE DAYS, WITH THEME PARKS, AND MANY OTHER BUSINESSES CLOSED. BUT I-4 ULTIMATE WORKERS, ARE STILL ON THE JOB, PUSHING AHEAD WITH BUILDING THE INTERSTATE, AND IT TURNS OUT, F-DOT DOES PLAN TO SEE, IF IT CAN USE THAT LIGHTER CONGESTION, TO GET AHEAD. NO ONE FROM THE I-4 ULTIMATE PROJECT, F-DOT, OR, SGL WOULD TALK ON CAMERA ABOUT IT, BUT F-DOT SENT ME A STATEMENT, SAYING QUOTE, IF TRAFFIC DECREASES ARE REALIZED, CONSTRUCTION TEAMS MAY REVIS LANE CLOSURES AND NIGHT-TIME OPERATIONS TO MAXIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE PROJECTS EARLIER THAN ANTICIPATED. LAST YEAR, OFFICIALS SAID I-4 ULTIMATE WAS 9 MONTHS BEHIND SCHEDULE, FOR A BUNCH REASONS, LIKE HURRICANE IRMA, DAMAGES, AND FATAL ACCIDENTS. THAT PUT THE EXPECTED TIME, WHEN THE PROJECT WOULD BE DONE, IN LATE NEXT YEAR. THE WON’T SAY YET IF THE MORE FLEXIBLE WORK ENVIRONMENT NOW, COULD CUT INTO THAT DELAY. THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT, IS KEEPING THE WORKERS SAFE. AN I-4 ULTIMATE OFFICIAL TOLD ME HE’S NOT AWARE, OF ANY WORKERS ON THE PROJECT BEING SICK, FROM COVID-19. FDOT SAYS THEY’RE TAKING
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FDOT trying to speed up I-4 Ultimate work while roads are less congested
Though almost everything else has come to a stop, those who are trying to rebuild I-4 are continuing to work.Officials said because there is much less traffic, they hope to be able to get the I-4 Ultimate project and other projects around the state done quicker.Traffic is much lighter on the roads with many businesses and theme parks closed, but I-4 Ultimate workers are still on the job and pushing ahead with building the interstate.The Florida Department of Transportation plans to see if it can use the lighter congestion to get ahead of the work.No one from the I-4 Ultimate project would talk on camera to WESH 2 News about the project, but FDOT sent the following statement: “If traffic decreases are realized, construction teams may revise lane closures and night-time operations to maximize the opportunity to complete projects earlier than anticipated.”Last year, officials said I-4 Ultimate was nine months behind schedule for multiple reasons like Hurricane Irma, damages, and fatal accidents. Those put the expected completion time into late 2021.FDOT won’t say yet if the more flexible work environment could cut into that delay.The other side of that of working at an accelerated pace is keeping the workers safe. An I-4 Ultimate official said he is not aware of any workers on the project being sick from COVID-19.FDOT said they're taking all precautions to minimize the spread of the virus.

Though almost everything else has come to a stop, those who are trying to rebuild I-4 are continuing to work.

Officials said because there is much less traffic, they hope to be able to get the I-4 Ultimate project and other projects around the state done quicker.

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Traffic is much lighter on the roads with many businesses and theme parks closed, but I-4 Ultimate workers are still on the job and pushing ahead with building the interstate.

The Florida Department of Transportation plans to see if it can use the lighter congestion to get ahead of the work.

No one from the I-4 Ultimate project would talk on camera to WESH 2 News about the project, but FDOT sent the following statement: “If traffic decreases are realized, construction teams may revise lane closures and night-time operations to maximize the opportunity to complete projects earlier than anticipated.”

Last year, officials said I-4 Ultimate was nine months behind schedule for multiple reasons like Hurricane Irma, damages, and fatal accidents.

Those put the expected completion time into late 2021.

FDOT won’t say yet if the more flexible work environment could cut into that delay.

The other side of that of working at an accelerated pace is keeping the workers safe. An I-4 Ultimate official said he is not aware of any workers on the project being sick from COVID-19.

FDOT said they're taking all precautions to minimize the spread of the virus.