Why Orlando Florida's I-4 Express Lanes Are GENIUS And We Should Build More Like Them

[@MagicjavaGames]

How absurd is it to think about a relatively high-speed train between Tampa-St. Pete and Orlando? I would love that.

[@nlpnt]

Florida already has the most dangerous rail in the country with the Brightline.

[@notapplicableproductions6504]

@@nlpnt The Brightline is like all trains, incredibly safe. Just because idiots park their cars on the railroad crossing doesn’t make Brightline liable…

[@XiledGamer00]

@@notapplicableproductions6504 What do you mean the train can't just stop? :D

[@notapplicableproductions6504]

@@XiledGamer00 Hmm, let me think about that…

[@dennisverweij4817]

I believe Brightline is currently planning and are in negotiations for a route along the I4 from Orlando to Tampa. So not absurd at all. So maybe in the next 15 years, if all goes well.

[@njv1234]

I live in South Florida and he’s 100% correct on the differences between Orlando’s express system, and Miami’s. Without the concrete barrier and left breakdown lanes, the express system is ineffective in the event of an accident, and sometimes contributes to driver error accidents due to the temptation to lane dive when the traffic gets backed up. You have to protect the driver from himself. The only express system that functions properly in south Florida is I-75 express due to concrete barrier separation.

[@HOBS_21]

Express lanes are wonderfully convenient for driving around congested areas, but they are still only a band-aid solution. They do not address the root problem of congestion: too many people driving. Eventually, I-4 will clog again. Even if it isn't due to induced demand, it will happen due to population growth. To keep the lanes moving with more drivers on the road, the toll prices will have to increase more and more, and it will become unsustainable. They can keep expanding the highway, but wider roads only lead to more congestion due to inevitable induced demand plus population growth, lane switching, and the bottleneck created by exits onto city streets. The only real solution to traffic is providing good alternatives to driving, aka quality public transit, to take people off the road. This may not be easy, as Florida is one of the most car dependent, low density suburbanized regions in the country. But in cities designed only for cars, it is impossible to avoid congestion.

[@symphwind]

I don't live in Florida but agree with your argument. Isn't Brightline expanding to be parallel to I-4 from Orlando to Tampa? If so, do you think that will help?

[@ace20016]

@@symphwind Brightline won’t help much. With stops only at Downtown Miami, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, and Downtown West Palm Beach. And a future stop being built at Orlando International Airport right now. You still missing out on a lot of people. One, the Downtown Miami, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, and Downtown West Palm Beach stops are all east of I-95. Most people in the Miami Metropolitan area live west of I-95. Two, a lot of people live in between the Future Orlando International Airport stop and Downtown West Palm Beach stop. And those of us that do including me. We do travel to Orlando Metropolitan area and Miami Metropolitan area. But with no stops in Martin, St Lucie, Indian River, and Brevard County, we won’t benefit from Brightline.

[@ace20016]

Yes, Orlando Metropolitan area is nearing the point where road widening won’t solve traffic problems. But building an rapid transit system here is like pulling teeth. Plus the Orlando Metropolitan area is low density.

[@emmettdavy4754]

I 100% agree. Orlando needs policies that encourage densification and Transit Oriented Development along corridors and near job centers, along with overall investment in transit infrastructure to avoid the traffic apocalypse coming by 2030.

[@jgroenveld1268]

Over here where I live. Our local transport agency had included bus companies where they can now use these lanes for free and they have been a success. The bus companies now redesigned bus routes that now local feeder buses take passengers to new bus stops above the freeway and there are dedicated buses that run the length of the freeway between the suburbs and the city.

[@TODD_FL44]

Yup! I'm a Uber driver and have been traveling I4 numerous times in the 11yrs I've been down here. Live in Daytona so of course heading anywhere west to Orlando or Tampa you have no choice but to use I4. Been on I4 when it was at its very worse and can tell you the improvements are 100% fabulous. I've used that express lane a handful of times and it feels good to breeze on past the downtown area with no issues. Even get a chance to look up at the Orlando eye sore without worrying about crashing. Good job FDOT!

[@googleaccount6931]

I honestly feel like the express lanes are just going to be packed with traffic in a few years because they keep on adding houses and apartment buildings EVERYWHERE

[@matthew8153]

Not if the work-from-home movement succeeds.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

And no decent public transit to serve them.

[@Carlisho]

Agree, Florida just keeps growing up at an alarming rate

[@googleaccount6931]

@@Carlisho yup even the rural parts that nobody even cared about a few years ago…. It’s kind of sad. We’re losing so much natural land to ugly tract homes 💔

[@blanco7726]

Need new routes then.

[@asaldanapr]

I suffered the 6 yr construction and can say the Ultimate works. Now, going to Tampa and back is excruciatingly painful. It takes less time to get from Orlando to Jacksonville sometimes than Orlando to Tampa. Horrible!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Orlando needs the Brightline extended to Tampa and a metrorail and frequent bus services to feed it.

[@axysdnyd]

As a Florida resident and a professional truck driver, I find express lane extremely helpful and useful. The Dallas-Ft Worth area possibly has the best design for express lanes and they generally allow 18 wheelers to use express lanes. Not to mention spped limits on the controlled access express lanes are higher than the standard general use lanes. I have saved myself countless hours using said lanes during heavy traffic. I do believe there needs to be lanes dedicated to trucks only to help eliminate problems between 4 wheelers and 18 wheelers. Also, people need to learn how to properly dive defensively and stop being so totally careless around 18 wheelers. Remember that EVERYTHING you use is delivered by trucls. EVERYTHING!!!!! Stop giving truckers a hard time, our jobs are hard enough without having to deal with you Karen's of the roadways. 9 out of 10 4 wheelers that either pass me or I pass, the driver is on their damn phone texting!!!!! That's so stupid and dangerous. Leave your damn phone alone while driving!!!!!!!! Truckers are increasingly guilty of it too, but for us getting a cell phone use while driving ticket is a career killer. The driver is fined $2750 and the carrier they work for is also fined $10,000. So that ticket will end your driving career just as fast as a DUI conviction, faster honestly because you can fight DUIs more successfully than a cell phone use while driving ticket. Just stay off your damn phone while driving. There's nothing more to it than that.

[@kevinrussell3501]

He says keeping trucks off the through express lanes is a positive but I view it as a negative. Then on top of it you force trucks in the right lanes making them deal with on/off traffic. We know how often us truck drivers get cut off at the exit with someone that has to pass you then immediately exit, saving themselves 2.3552 seconds at most in travel time and chancing the opportunity of smashing into some other unexpecting vehicle who properly got over behind you and is appropriately in lane. I really think these lanes should be for long distance traffic instead of commuters and studies have proven this true Your comment seems well thought out so what do you think?

[@axysdnyd]

@@kevinrussell3501 I have to agree with you. Express lanes should be geared more for semi trucks than cars honestly. I can honestly see a big improvement in traffic flow if trucks get their own dedicated express lanes, studies have proven time and time again that 4 wheelers are the root cause of accidents between semi trucks and passenger vehicles over 85% of the time. So having truck only express lanes would all but eliminate that issue on the interstates.

[@Growlmon]

Every time I come up on a tightly packed platoon of traffic it's because there's a semi in the middle or left lane going 75 or below (usually 65-70). It takes y'all a good forever to pass each other and it takes another hour for y'all to realize there's enough space to get back in the right lane, which many people are not patient enough for so they start zooming into the right lane to FINALLY pass. And of course most accidents are caused by lane changes, which semis doing this cause immense amounts of in said tight traffic they have also caused. Or on the flip side, passing an exit where morons like to merge at way below highway speed, forcing semis into the left and middle lanes at a slower speed and then of course said semis are never able to get back to the right lane because once merged traffic speeds up everyone stuck behind the trucks quickly move to the right lane to pass the truck. The thing is, the reason for trucks already have their own lane to travel in: they're called train tracks. Unfortunately, cross country trucks are some of the best truck drivers I've seen on the road, with most problems being caused by the smaller cab trucks and ESPECIALLY dump trucks, but you can't really reduce those onto trains. The only thing that can happen is better enforcement on keeping trucks in the right lane and having traffic merge at highway speed.

[@EmpireStateExpress01]

They also have it in the Houston area with TX-288 between Freeport and Houston. When I was a truck driver, I would hop on TX-288 tolled express lanes to avoid traffic up to Beltway-8. More cities should allow fast trucks to use tolled express lanes especially if we're going to be regulated with Electronic Logs and mileage pay.

[@EmpireStateExpress01]

@@Growlmon The Interstate System was originally designed to move freight by truck and long distance road trips. Not for you to commute into the city by car daily. Heres the problem with the railroads today: Precision Scheduled Railroading. I had a customer Ohio who didn't like the fact it would take them 4 weeks to get the same product by railcar compared to 4 hours by truck from the shipper. This is because said railcar had to go through Cincinnati, Columbus, and then back through Dayton to reach the shortline to plant. Often times it would show up late as well courtesy of CSX. Prior to Precision Scheduled Railroading, it would take them a week.

[@vishal111shah]

Not only do i use this every week, the company i work for built this project. Everything has been great except the speed limit. It is designed to sustain 80 Mph and they have capped it at 60. Only 5 mph higher than the free lanes. More importantly, cops have started focusing on catching speeders in the express lane leaving the free lanes unguarded.. i have been pulled over with a warning in express lane and the cop basically told me to cruise at 72-73 and i should be fine.. all the while, you can still drive at 80 on the free lanes without anyone pulling you over cause they just want to get the gravy from the express lane users.

[@zuffin1864]

the ban of 18 wheelers on those roads also decreases the amount of damage done to the roads because most road damage is from weather in combination with heavy vehicles pounded the concrete beneath them, not just weather. how often do your sidewalks need re-paving? not that often i'd guess

[@matthew8153]

18 wheelers are 99% of west and tear on roads. And no, that’s not an exaggeration.

[@zuffin1864]

@@matthew8153 yea i was being generous honestly.

[@chrisito245]

The sidewalks wear and tear is from the tractor mowers 😂

[@ohhgodineedmoore2845]

Except how are goods going to be delivered?

[@matthew8153]

@@ohhgodineedmoore2845 Rail for the most part. But we really need to go back to when things were built to last and away from this one-time-use culture so we won’t need to constantly move so many goods.

[@nonic4vic600]

I think every metro area needs these and only have it as a bypass through the city allowing people going long distances to travel faster without getting caught up in local traffic

[@SamGallaher]

Highways shouldn't be going through cities at all to begin with. They should go around

[@nonic4vic600]

@@SamGallaher I agree but i mean existing highways not new ones

[@nonic4vic600]

@@SamGallaher and mine was thinking more of long distance trucking and driving but the us desperately needs better public transit infrastructure

[@dustf1nger118]

@John Williamson It should be tolled so that it can have regular maintenance. DOT already as it is doesn't get that much money from the government compared to other departments.

[@dustf1nger118]

​@John Williamson And those said taxes from lottery is divided to different departments: which DOT gets the least which is back to my point. Besides the lottery, The DOT only receives 2% of federal budget. That's 132 Billion split between the 50 states. California, New York, Virginia and others get more budget than other states. Florida of that 132 Billion gets 12.6 Billion. 12.6 Billion isn't a lot. You have to understand that. You have 267,793 miles of interstate to local roads to repair. You have workers to pay. DOT specific buildings, traffic lights, road signs to repair. And you have to build express lanes. Florida also has Miami-Dade Metrorail which needs maintenance for the subway, the rails, and the building it houses. That's 23 stations on 24.4 miles of rail. To give you an idea, the rule of thumb for cost of resurfacing 1 mile of highway= $750k to 1 million dollars. The average cost of maintaining 1 mile of asphalt is $5,273. That 12 billion dollars gets drained really quick with the amount of maintenance needed.

[@jonathonbaker907]

I still avoid i4 at any time I can, I'd rather spend the time and money to wrap around on the 417, but the stretch between Tampa and Orlando is practically unavoidable

[@jimjacobs1789]

Driving Tampa-Orlando on I-4 can be a nightmare.

[@Extreme22240]

To be honest, they should really make more of these on other Interstates through Florida, such as I-295 and the Jacksonville / St. Augustine area of I-95.

[@falloutpictures]

I am a current CM for Disney and will be glad when the Express lanes expands past exit 58 on I-4 since that is where the majority of the back ups are on I-4 which is around the Champions gate area. I use the express lanes when I go and visit family in North Florida almost every week and paying $1.50 each way is well worth it. I did hear that the prices may go up but it is worth it instead of waiting up to hours in traffic on the POV lanes. I am curious on how the new Exit 67 ramp will look with it dumping right on Hotel Plaza Blvd on Disney property.

[@MidwayMaiTais]

As someone who lives in the attractions area of Orlando, the Beyond project is exciting. I go through the Sand Lake / Turkey Lake intersection Everyday and am baffled by how poorly the entrances are for the Whole Foods Plaza are. And since everyone lets cars in and out, traffic gets all backed up. I'm not looking forward to driving through construction, but the final product will be worth it.

[@miketuttle9319]

Yeah, it’s insane. It’s almost as if it’s designed to be bad as possible. At rush hour forget it.

[@SteadyStew]

I live in Raleigh, and I’ve never once been stuck in traffic on that stretch of 40/85. Only in the triangle or Greensboro. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see NCDOT do a project like I-4 ultimate on 40 through the triangle - once the Clayton-Raleigh part of 40 and the 540 beltline are done.

[@kiwiinterstates3190]

I agree with the concrete barriers along the express lanes this should be mandatory safety design! Think of the express lanes here through Charlotte (especially between Mooresville and Huntersville) I am always seeing plastic bollards knocked over and wrecks almost every day! In the case of I-77 the express lanes have actually made the road more dangerous than it was before. Also I can think of 85 north of Atlanta where they have express lanes with no physical barrier to stop illegal crossings a really poor design by Georgia DOT.

[@MileageMikeTravels]

Yep. If they can’t build them with the barrier then it’s probably better not to build them at all.

[@dcdude345]

Yeah 77 is really awful

[@javianjohnson8746]

This is a good idea. Hopefully more states that have big metropolitan areas like Georgia, California, and Texas catch on to this style

[@shaynestephens]

Great video, Mileage Mike! Great job! I think this will vastly improve traffic and traffic safety on I-4!

[@JoshColletta]

I lived in Miami when the 95 HOV lanes were first built -- I even remember my first time on the Golden Glades HOV flyover -- and it always struck me as pointless for exactly the reasons you stated. In fact, the only real improvement to come out of that project was some of the rerouting done in the Golden Glades that improved traffic flow from a standstill to a slow flow at rush hour, which had absolutely nothing to do with the HOV lanes actually alleviating any main carriageway traffic (because they didn't). THIS project in Orlando, however, looks like FDOT learned their lessons from that farce. As little as people like a toll, it's the ideal way to fund road work, and they'll pay up for the safety and convenience. Hopefully the state will expand this idea to South Florida, as well.

[@marcnorquist510]

I live in the area in Seminole County. I love taking the express lanes. FDOT did an amazing job for us. Traffic has gone down a lot.

[@LawrenceMarkFearon]

Excellent reporting. Thorough. Concise. Logical. Crazy part is how counterintuitive paid express lanes are for traffic congestion but the proof is in the results. More drivers would rather pay for them than find HOV carpool passengers. Your analysis separates you from the competition in this channel's genre.

[@MileageMikeTravels]

Thanks man I appreciate it.

[@keith274]

Hi, I live in Florida, and I am so happy the first segment of the I-4 Ultimate project is finished. It really speeds things up, and I opt for it whenever I'm in the area. Thanks for your video.

[@necroslair]

The I-4 Eyesore (that building on the left)at 3:00. The Ulitimate Project was completed before that building and I suspect the Beyond Ultimate segement there will be as well...

[@JoshColletta]

Can't wait for a hurricane to catch that roof cap.

[@matthew8153]

Why the Hell Altamonte Spring would grant an open ended permit I’ll never understand.

[@Miami543210]

I love to go to Miami on the weekends, from West Palm Beach. And the express lanes are amazing. Beautiful. Rarely a delay. The big issue, as you have mentioned, are the plastic poles. People Drive over them often. And pay the small Fine. They need a WALL!

[@kushalyuh]

u really are one of my fav channels with this type of content! just my cup of tea

[@8675309858]

I’ve lived in Florida since 2002 and I started driving since 2015 Let me tell you I4 SUCKS and even though I use that mainly to the tourist destinations for Fun Spot, Universal Orlando and Daytona international Speedway. When you get to Champions Gate (58) that’s where the traffic goes downhill, then Disney then downtown Orlando. Glad they finally got downtown Orlando taken care of but man hopefully Disney gets that treatment next more than ever. The only time it was good was 2020 (obvious reason) but man because more people came to the state since then, traffic has been worse. Thanks for sharing this video man

[@mallon04008]

I rented a house about a mile east of the Champions Gate exit for 3 weeks at the beginning of Aug. Can confirm, I4 from Champions Gate to Universal is brutal. On par with any of the bad traffic we have here in the Boston area. Aside from adding the express lanes (which they look to be working on), there's also just no to great way to get north than I4. Yes there is Old Lake Wilson Road, but that can get clogged up fast too and dumps you out onto 192, which is it's own set of problems.

[@trowwzers5057]

Could you make a video about flex lanes in the future? A flex lane is a lane that only opens when congestion has reached a certain percentage; otherwise, it is against the law to use the lane. It’s useful for roads that have heavy traffic without many semi trucks. A good example is US-23 from Ann Arbor to Brighton, Michigan. A 15 miles commute from M-14 to I-96 (also in the process of adding flex lanes), used to take an hour during rush hour. Now, it takes 30 minutes. Once phase two is done, there will be minimal slow downs. Adding another lane will cause induced demand so the area around the highway grows very quickly (especially if the traffic is mostly cars and not semis). Having lanes that are only accessible during peak congestion is proven to greatly reduce traffic jams without causing extra vehicles to use the road

[@ollylevesque3404]

We had those in Katy freeway (worlds largest) and now on 288 in Houston. It makes no sense they charge almost 8 bucks and it doesn’t save that much time. I’ll stay in the free side lol

[@fldon2306]

FDOT is already redoing bridges in Polk county up to Lakeland for upgrades there too. They are also adding bridges on I-4 in Polk like they did in Volusa for the Wildlife Corridor Project so animals can migrate/pass major roads without being killed.

[@Maya_Ruinz]

Holy crap, there is around 7 million in the Orlando/Tampa corridor? That is wild, for seem reason in my mind I have always felt they were on par with my home territory of San Antonio/Austin.

[@craftsmanctfl3493]

The greater Miami area express lanes on I-95 have redesigned their dividing barriers to make them more of a deterrent to vehicles illegally crossing into the express lanes. The individual barriers are still somewhat flexible, but placed closer together and are larger in circumference. They also appear to be a few inches taller. I wouldn’t want to cross over them because they appear to be more likely to damage a car. I’m wondering if Mike or anyone else has driven by these new barriers and what they think of them as a better deterrent.

[@MileageMikeTravels]

Interesting. I'll probably be down in Florida again for the winter. I'll have to check them out.

[@craftsmanctfl3493]

@@MileageMikeTravels The express lanes are now mostly completed from Miami up to Linton Blvd. in Delray Beach, south Palm Beach County. My only issue is that sometimes the exits from the express lanes are a bit far apart.

[@angelapastorius2377]

Oh my gosh, I did not know that was complete. I live here in Central Florida but I avoid I-4 like the plague! Unless I have to travel to another city, I-4 is not necessary. So, it is fantastic to see this first before I happen to get on that highway again. Now I know what to expect - thanks!! 😎👍 (And yes, I think this will help relieve traffic congestion!)

[@ksharpe10]

I am like you avoided it at all costs. Had to use it for work they assured me I would be astonished at how smoothly it flowed on the regular road. I was so busy looking around that I did not even see the express lanes that are discussed on this video. My Boss said good thing I did not get on in the express lanes, to many Cops and without Epass I would be fined big time. Next time I drive down there I will look more toward seeing these lanes, the Wall pretty much blocks much vision of it though.

[@Composedblackness]

Knowing you’re a brother made me smile this channel is dope man ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿 keep putting out dope videos. Seattle is city I’d like to see in the near future too.

[@MileageMikeTravels]

👍🏾

[@ypaulbrown]

well done, new subscriber.....cheers from Orlando, resident since 1952

[@ralphmtsu]

Glad you did a video on this! Love your material. I get to Orlando every other month or so. I haven't used the express lanes yet, but will do if the free lanes are congested.

[@westkana]

Express lanes just seem like a band-aid to me- only a temporary solution to the problem of congestion that can really only be solved by introducing other forms of transit (ie HSR)

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

a true hi-speed rail line from Miami to Tampa would be a 40-45 minute transit in 250m.p.h. trains.

[@ace20016]

Getting high speed rail build here in Florida is like pulling teeth. Only reason Brightline (higher speed rail) is getting build from Downtown Miami up the east coast of Florida to it turns west in Cocoa to head along FL State Road 528 toward Orlando International Airport is because it’s private funded.

[@njv1234]

They offer a form of transit as an alternative. SunRail runs parallel to I-4 in Orlando

[@matthew8153]

@@cliffwoodbury5319 Too bad it could never reach those speeds because of laws.

[@AaronTheHarris]

I mean I think something like Brightline from Orlando to Tampa will move a lot more people than any amount of express lanes for a fraction of the cost.

[@AaronTheHarris]

Better yet if it's in the median, there won't be any collisions with people trying to go around the railroad crossings.

[@jeremiahfisher]

I have not used the express lanes, but I like the option, and it does make traffic less congested and safer!

[@amaurycaraballo1254]

Great video! Well explained. I'm a Volusia County resident and I had used the express lanes for curiosity and worked fine. It'll depend on the time and if it is a weekend, all that will affect. I can't wait when the sections between Orlando and Lakeland are fixed, it's going to be wonderful!

[@travelsofmunch1476]

Sometimes it seems like we do everything else other than just building a train (reminder this was a 2.3 BILLION dollar project)

[@TessHKM]

Remember when Obama wanted to give us $2 billion dollars for a high speed rail system 10 years ago and Rick Scott just said "lol no thanks"? This state is cursed man

[@travelsofmunch1476]

@@TessHKM pain

[@ace20016]

Yeah the ultimate plan is to add express lanes and capacity on the general use lanes on I-4 from US 27 in Polk County to FL State Road 472 near Deltona. I’m very interested in the stretch from the current end of the express lanes around Universal Orlando to FL State Road 536 / Epcot Center Dr around Disney World on how that’s going to look once it gets upgraded.

[@MileageMikeTravels]

Yeah that part is a pain.

[@ace20016]

@@MileageMikeTravels Facts. I know from experience.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

How about further to the end of I-4 in Tampa, then down 275 to St. Pete?

[@ace20016]

@@edwardmiessner6502 I haven’t heard of any plans on adding express lanes west of US 27 in Polk County or in Hillsborough County on I-4. They are working on widening and add express lanes on the Howard Franklin Bridge which carries I-275 across the bay. But I’m not sure if the express lanes are going all the way to Downtown Tampa on I-275

[@jonesyokc]

Things that keep people trapped in cars are not the solution. The real solution is to give people options, and that is where Brightline will come in very handy. I know it is still many years away, but once the Orlando to Tampa route gets built, people will finally have real travel choices. I think the demand will be very high between these cities and Brightline will have to look at higher capacity trains (maybe the double decker trains like the ones Caltrain received) between the cities. Orlando to Miami will probably be fine with the much longer version of the current Brightline sets (stations are built to handle much longer trains). But Orlando to Tampa is going to need a higher capacity train. When you connect major metro areas like Orlando and Tampa, adding more lanes of highway isn't the answer. It just gets more and more expensive and you never eliminate gridlock. You get increasing expenses and reducing benefit from each added lane. Just my take on it. But in any case, good video.

[@MileageMikeTravels]

I am curious to see the demand and usage once Brightline is built here. I think the problem is that there's a strong perception among most Americans (especially the wealthiest) that trains and transit are for poor people. That makes it difficult to get them funded and built. With Brightline built out I think we can see and gauge how effective a rail network is among sprawled out cities like these in Florida. If it's successful then I think it might help convince more politicians to go against their wealthy suburban residents and increase the government funding for transit. I like that it's a private company so there's a financial incentive to increase capacity and improve it if it ends up being successful. So it's going to be up to the people of Florida to use and support it to prove that rail is viable in the South. As for these lanes, I think they're effective in the sense that roadway expansion/building is about the only thing you can typically get approval to build and them being tolled does slow down the possibility of induced demand that would come along quickly if they were free. I think many people forget that outside of the Northeast a LOT of American cities are very sprawled, especially in the South. Intercity transit is a very hard sell with the low density down here. I think transit in the cities themselves needs to be significantly improved before rails between cities can truly reduce highway traffic.

[@jonesyokc]

@@MileageMikeTravels Image is certainly a problem. Until recently, our view of rail is Amtrak, and honestly, Amtrak is pretty sad. I took a joy ride from Oklahoma City to Ft. Worth (and back) one day and the service sets the bar about as low as you can go. It feels a good 40-50 years out of date. Brightline is going to change the way people see rail. I just hope they don't make the mistake of accidentally taking an Amtrak ride after that 🙂

[@skygge1006]

@@MileageMikeTravels I don’t think that the biggest problem for brightline will be American perception but rather the public transit in Tampa and Orlando is practically nonexistent.

[@chuckdow2059]

I work at a show in the parking garage just off sand lake so seeing this congestion clear up will be nice, gonna try the express lane tomorrow haven't wrapped my mind around getting on much but definitely will now.

[@MarrionThompson]

As a Disney contractor living on the opposite end of town in Sanford, the I-4 ultimate project was a godsend. Phase 2 is underway around Disney. An entire shopping center was condemned to build a new interchange @ exit 68 (FL535).

[@johnmoore3504]

One of things that really helps is these HOT lanes have limited on/off access, thus they are true express or bypass lanes. As a S FL native the Turnpike has always been better the I95, the main reason being you don’t have drivers merging and exiting constantly. Changing lanes, slowing to exit or speeding to merge is the cause of most accidents. Driving straight and constantly is easy. The only downside is if an accident does occur your stuck with no escape route. On 595 the center HOT lanes even switch direction based on time of day. East in the AM from the burbs to Ft Laud, then west to go home - brilliant. Glad they learned the HOV concept doesn’t work. Turns out people don’t or can’t ride share, the logistics are just impossible, there is NO way I’m going to work with someone else, too many compromises and trust requirements. They are now switching the HOV to HOT lanes on 95 too.

[@jeffking4176]

I live in Jacksonville Florida, I have suppliers in Orlando, and usually end up in Clearwater, before heading back through Gainsville Florida on my way back to Jacksonville. If people use those Express lanes, fine, but they get expensive QUICK ❗️ Here in Jacksonville, they added these lanes, and not many people actually use them. If it works down there, great, because, as you said, it IS THE most dangerous highway in the US. People drive absolutely nuts down it. I don’t know how many close calls I’ve had. And I had a Bright Yellow pickup❗️ It can be quite scary. Once in to Tampa/St.Pete, it’s a totally different story. This is an interesting video. 🚗😁

[@allengarcia00]

I moved to Florida right as the new I-4 express lanes came to fruition. Gotta say, I use them on my commute BACK from work and it is incredible. But there are TWO very evident issues with the express lanes and an I-4 exit. 1. The express lanes are generally pretty chill, people typically don’t go crazy there because of the potential heavy FHP activity. BUT I swear I’ve seen it multiple times where people use the express lanes as the damn Autobahn and go 100+ mph when there aren’t cops around. But FHP should focus on pulling people over in the free lanes, NOT someone who is paying to drive on the express lanes and going 70mph. That’s absurd to me. 2. The exit to get to 408 is HORRENDOUS and horribly built. The normal exit and express exit get CONSTANTLY backed up. There was an obvious design flaw here as a lot of people merge to the right to get onto 408 West and people from the express lanes need to merge left to get onto 408 East. There is CONSTANT traffic at this exit and it’s due to poor design and integration of the express exit for 408. 408 is the new I-4 now in my opinion. I travel through 417, 408, I-4, and 436 in Altamonte to get to work. And then the reverse to get back home, and 408 is a CONSTANT disaster with accidents, and traffic getting backed up at almost every exit between 417 and I-4. Something has to have been designed wrong because it is almost always backed up FAR worse than I-4 these days, and I see way more accidents on 408 than I-4. I travel these highways every single day and I have insane dash cam footage of shit I see on 408, way more than I capture stuff on I-4. That’s just my two cents!

[@BlackMagickMike]

It's every time you say "Turkey Lake Road" for me. 🦃☺️

[@PSTXFL]

The Texas DOT needs to go to Florida for some road engineering lessons. In the Houston, TX area a lot of our HOV lanes are just separated off by a double white line. It’s absolute chaos.

[@matthew8153]

Everything’s bigger in Texas, especially the problems.

[@PSTXFL]

@@matthew8153 uh, yeah the HOV lanes. Not much else 👍

[@claudegrinnell9602]

I have a company toll ezpass… it’s a great feeling when the work day is done and driving through rush hour traffic by passing all those jams along i4 can’t wait for them to finish up Disney to Davenport areas

[@aselwyn1]

this reminds me a lot of the Toronto 401 with its Express and Collector system. frequently the traffic is right where the express lanes end until you leave the gta citys at each end

[@EC4U2C_Studioz]

I wish you feel the same about the I-4 Ultimate Express Lanes corridor with the 66 Outside the Beltway Express Lanes expected to open by the end of 2022. The 66 Outside the Beltway Express Lanes would have 2 express lanes, 3 regular lanes, and auxiliary lanes between interchanges on the regular lanes between exit 52/US 29 in Centreville and the corridor's eastern terminus at the Capital Beltway. On the 66 Express Lanes corridor, 3 people will be required to be in the vehicle to qualify for free travel on the express lanes in order to be consistent throughout the Northern Virginia Express Lanes corridors.

[@MileageMikeTravels]

I have to look into it. I know they're building express lanes there but I haven't been on the Virginia DOT website to study the details of the plan.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

"Lanes would have 2 express lanes, 3 regular lanes, and auxiliary lanes between interchanges on the regular lanes." Well it's about damn time SOMEONE had the bright idea to do lane mathematics! Sometimes traffic entering the roadway and forced into the right regular lane will back up the highway for MILES.

[@pacificostudios]

On the 110 in Los Angeles, most of the plastic barriers between the general traffic and HOT lanes have been broken off. However, north of Slauson, the express lanes run on their own alignment and then it is impossible to crossover. The 110 HOT lanes also support the Silver Line express bus service, with dedicated stations along the route. Express bus routes help spread the benefit of building new HOT/HOV lanes.

[@loganreynolds4800]

I know I'm late. But I271 through Cleveland works wonders. It has 2 express lanes with barriers and merge lanes. And has a 3 way for local traffic. The far right lane on the 3way is also used for local traffic and completely disappears at exits and then reappears at on ramps. They can also expand the lanes if they have too. Someone needs too make a video about i90 through Erie county. Coming from a trucker in the area.

[@Minifigure17]

I decided a while ago that I'll never take the express lanes,, but this video convinced me to give it a try. Thank you! Great video

[@MileageMikeTravels]

Sounds like FDOT should send me a referral bonus lol.

[@thinkeightsix]

The last time I was on I-4 years ago, I was traveling through Orlando from St. Augustine to Tampa. I was stuck in traffic all the way until the last Orlando exit. This gave me the idea that I-4 should have a separated part for people traveling through Orlando and those going in and out of Orlando. I don't have a Sunpass because the city I live in Florida is nowhere near toll roads, so I have no use for one. The same thing would happen for tourists, so I don't see as many people using the pay-to-use through lanes as there could be. It's just another Orlando toll road.

[@datboi449]

few projects in houston for videos, 288 upgrade and hot lanes now open, I-45 redirect downtown, and I-610 hot lanes and hot lanes for all freeways inside I-610

[@thedude3016]

it has been 5 yrs since I drove I 4 to Tampa even when the construction was finished I decided not to head to Tampa, now with the express lanes I am willing to try it next week so get ready Hard Rock I am heading your way!!!!

[@inkedsharkyt]

I love the express lanes so much. Just being able to be separate from the trucks makes the toll worth imo

[@nicholasfield6127]

Maybe build good frequent public transportation?

[@EmpireStateExpress01]

Great video! As a frequent visitor to the Orlando area, I just wish they extended I-4 Ultimate past Championsgate. Traffic is always backed up there and at the Disney World exit. It has gotten so bad that I just take 417 to my resort instead. Any word about tollway authority connecting 417 to 429 south of Orlando?

[@OffensiveMiddleFinger]

They're planning to begin the Beyond the Ultimate segment from Championsgate to Osceola Parkway in 2024 or sometime then

[@j.mieses8139]

Ah such fond memories of using I-4 every single day when I lived in FL. With all the Traffic and Congestion and having to plan my way home each day juts to beat it. Not sure how effective these lanes are going to be. We shall see.

[@jimmylivingston6338]

I sometimes have to head to my corporate headquarters in Orlando. I use it when I can finally inter it. That's my issue. There's not enough enter lanes to access it. By the time I'm able to get on half my trip thru Orlando on the way to Savannah is done so I hop on the last few miles.

[@navsubtorpfac]

as a regular driver on i-495 HOT lanes in VA, I'm familiar with the plastic barriers between the main lanes and the HOT lanes. I think the logic to not build concrete dividers is for first responders to be able to access and incident as quickly as possible.

[@TheSponge77]

Just got back from a holiday in Florida...stayed in Davenport...my god the I4 is horrific...USA's answer to UK's M25...hope its better when we come back in a couple of years time🤣

[@ace20016]

Davenport? Yeah you caught that traffic on I-4 between US 27 and Disney World. That stretch of I-4 is a nightmare.

[@angelagrange9668]

Express lanes are awesome!! In hopes will continue to Tampa ..

[@KBsBigBadBand]

The most important thing is that it extends south far enough to cover the Celebration exits which, in my experience, are worse than even the Disney exits.

[@Tested333]

Bro why wasn't I already subbed??

[@w-josh]

You should do a video about I-4 and 275 through Tampa

[@MileageMikeTravels]

Any upgrades coming on them?

[@w-josh]

@@MileageMikeTravels yes the Downtown Interchange with I-4/I-275 is supposed to be reconstructed I-275 is supposed to be reconstructed from the Howard Frankland to Dr MLK Jr Blvd and I-4 reconstructed until 50th Street. These are currently proposed at the moment.

[@distillery1816]

@@w-josh didn't we just go through that a few years ago?

[@theautisticpro3555]

It would make much more sense to create dedicated lanes for trucks and transit. In my experience, the difference in acceleration and deceleration capabilities of semi-trucks and cars cause lots of issues. If you ever observe traffic slowdowns on the interstate you can often see a pattern in the reactions of cars down the line that appears to be similar to wave forms. A tap of the brake in the front of the line travels back and compounds especially as these waves of slowdowns interact with each other. The trucks have a tendency to cause these waves because 4-wheelers like to ride up on them too aggressively expecting them to accelerate faster than they do. Or the car may cut ppl off attempting to pull around the trucks, too. It creates some dangerous situations. The other thing is that trucks are often better equipped to travel through a city without stopping due to their large gas tanks and so on. The only tricky thing is how to manage the reintegration of truck traffic when the lanes end. Without creating bottlenecks. That could probably be solved with a flyover that dumps truck traffic on the right side of the highway at the end of the express lanes to reduce weaving.

[@MileageMikeTravels]

Yeah I think dedicated truck lanes would do wonders for highway traffic. Like you said it's almost always a truck or trucks involved when there's a slowdown. The worst is probably when I'm driving and see a trucking going 65 MPH trying to pass a truck going like 62 MPH and it ends up slowing down everyone. I wonder if anyone foresaw how big the trucking industry would become with the Interstate Highway System. On the transit front, speaking on how cities down here in the South are built, I think the cities need heavy investment on in city light rail and/or commuter rail. Then once those systems are somewhat built up a solid intercity rail network could connect the major cities. Most cities seem to run into the issue of NIMBYs in suburbs either not wanting to pay for transit or not wanting transit coming through their towns. Atlanta is a good example of that.

[@RPSchonherr]

Where the FL Turnpike exits to I-4 near the Disney area is terrible. Traffic backs up on both highways every day. Construction is in progress someday it'll get there. This is also the same area around the MCO airport.

[@debibrown5568]

We live in central Fl and we love the express lane. It’s really not that expensive either. Can’t wait until it’s extended past Disney going west. Hope it goes all the way into POLK COUNTY.- watching from Lake Wales, Florida

[@dselvy]

Really cool project. How is this funded?

[@ERBphantom]

How about we build a light rail line down the median of State Route 408? You can even use E-Pass as a way to pay for this, just in card form.

[@mityace]

There are some express lanes that aren't tolled. For example, I-271 east of Cleveland has express lanes which, for now, are completely free and have no HOT requirement. The only restriction IIRC is no trucks. Other examples are I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway from downtown Chicago to the start of the Edens Expressway. (90/94 split) toll road section. (Jane Adams Northwest Tollway). There is a similar arrangement on 90/94 on the Dan Ryan Expressway from downtown to where I-90 splits onto off onto the Chicago Skyway. I-80 in New Jersey has free express lanes from the Garden State Parkway to the George Washington Bridge. Also, the I-95 portion of the New Jersey turnpike has express lanes from the junction with 95 connector to the PA Turnpike to the split into East and West sections near Newark. This is not free, of course, but there is no extra fee for the express lanes either.

[@keefgtp]

Seems prime for a train.

[@beb6c2a]

I live right next to the hell of sandlake rd on the 535 and I can tell you I cant wait to see if this fixes the congetion. I am seeing a lot of construction all over orlando in regards to roads so maybe a video about the projet to revamp Orlando as a whole will seem very interesting.Lastly Regarding the Express way, I do like to use it in emergencies when I need to reach somwhere real quick, the only downside I have now is that google maps will ALWAYS try to make you go through it makes it frustrating. For example, You want to go to somewhere, if you put it on google maps it will show you the fastest route, but if its through the I4 its likley means the Express way and youll have to add like an additional 10min to your journy which makes other routes better.

[@intjsavagery219]

I moved out of Orlando to Atlanta shortly after construction has begun for the I-4 Ultimate. I’ve gone back once since and I didn’t use it.

[@noelramirez1551]

I remember when I first started to drive using my mom's car I jumped on i4 I was like this is going to test my driving skills 🤣

[@flydragon7256]

Returning to Orlando for Vacation in 2023 (and possibly interns)!

[@tomknapp6194]

It has helped, but westbound from Princeton to the East-West (about 2 miles) is still at a standstill from about 3:00-6:00. The interchange between the two is woefully deficient. Overall, it has helped. The real problem is Champions Gate, which is between Disney and 27. That area is a disaster every day.

[@FloridaMan254]

I drive from Orange City to Orlando and back for work, and I take the Express lanes every day from where they start in Longwood to the last dedicated exit at Kirkman road and back. Aside from the traffic it’s a much calmer drive. I-4 has A LOT of reckless drivers that cause many of the accidents, luckily most of them stay off the express lanes. I too will never drive the regular lanes through Orlando again.

[@Chapter7Certified]

I solely drive the express lanes now. The road feels so safe and empty that the low speed limit feels ridiculous though and is below the average speed people are actually traveling on the standard lanes

[@silverbells24]

I have a suggestion for you. You should do about analysis of I-485 in Charlotte and how helpful it Is

[@eagerestwolf]

I think one minor change would have a significant impact on safety, just hear me out. Allowing tractor trailers in these kinds of lanes is a no brainer. Most trucks aren't alighting in a major city like Orlando, they are simply passing through; and many of the incidents that people associate with tractor trailers are due to interactions with other motorists (i.e. impatience, cutting them off, failure to yield, etc.). A logical consequence of this situation is that when presented with an option to pay a toll to bypass heavy traffic, most truck drivers will happily take it; thus, reducing the number of large, heavy, slow accelerating vehicles from the places where their size, weight and acceleration has the most detrimental impact to travel times and safety. A notable example of this in practice is the managed lanes in the DFW metro area that do allow trucks.

[@Dallas_K]

I often opt for SR 50 via I-75 to Orlando from home in the Clearwater area. It takes an hour longer but most times on I-4 there are accidents and backups that can delay me an hour more. I-4 is overrun with speed demons and reckless drivers. I hate it.

[@obscurevisuals]

Orlando needs an untolled ring road. It's insane every major city has an interstate ring road to help traffic bypass the center of the city but all Orlando gets is a makeshift tolled beltway with 417 and 429

[@jtn2002]

Lakeland here. Give me ultimate to US-27 PLEASE! East Polk County ALWAYS backs up! It really needs to be 4+2+2+4 the whole way though.

[@ace20016]

There’s plan to extend the the express lanes all the way to US 27 from its current end around Universal Orlando. But only stretch that’s currently funded is from the current end around Universal Orlando to just south of Central Florida Parkway interchange.

[@stephen_dmg2003]

as a person who makes the drive everyday i wish they would add a ramp from the 408 west bound to i4 east bound express lanes because god knows that it's between him and fate if i survive the 3 lane merge i have to make to get from the exit land to the right lane of the general purpose lanes

[@jimmyjohn8008]

Saw those in orlando being finished last November. Also so the new express lanes from Miami international to South beach being constructed. Not looking forward to the Atlanta's top end perimeter. Taking them forever to get started with all new bridges they need to build first.

[@bradencook32]

ITS AMAZING

[@ronardjones6762]

Crazy thing about I4 is that they have been doing work on it since 1988! I have never known a year that it has not had work on it!

[@MileageMikeTravels]

So many people keep moving to Florida

[@ArturioR]

Yes, I used them, and want more!

[@miamihurricane555]

A giant waste of money, for that money FL could build a fully functional public transit system. Enough with car centered development!

[@matthew8153]

We’re not Europe, we don’t want to be piled on top of one another.

[@HOBS_21]

@@matthew8153 except we are all piled up on top of one another in traffic...

[@matthew8153]

@@HOBS_21 Only if you want a job in the city. I make plenty working from home.

[@HOBS_21]

@@matthew8153 that's fair. Unfortunately, work from home isn't an option for most people. Also, it is possible to build a transit system that is clean and spacious, with enough capacity to afford all of it's users personal space.

[@matthew8153]

@@HOBS_21 Unless you’re dealing with the public face-to-face, in a factory on the production floor, or something like that then you can work from home. The problem is all these rich people with commercial real estate want their prices high so businesses make people go in to work. With the severe labor crunch which is only going to get worse over the next twenty years the old boomers will be forced to accept reality and allow more people to work from home.

[@tetchuma]

North Dallas has an HOV lane along 75. It has been pretty useless since it was installed.

[@ivanoffw]

Instead of trying to keep the same amount of "free" lanes, they should have reduced the "free" lanes to two through lanes with a third lane between exits so people have longer to merge on and off of the highway. Plus, with the decrease in "free" lanes, there might be more demand for the toll lanes, and some of that toll price could have gone to parallel public transit through Orlando so that those who can afford to pay the tolls can drive quickly, and those who must drive, but are unable, or unwilling to pay the toll have lanes, and those that don't really need to drive can have an alternative.

[@kushalyuh]

auxiliary lanes wouldn't work well in this scenario. especially reducing the gen lanes. america is sadly against public transit, and the cities are not made for it. and if not done right it could ultimately be a waste.

[@conrailhbgline]

No, it isn't genius. Genius would've been putting transit lines in instead of increasing gas guzzling car capacity.

[@derek9956]

How about more public transit ..?

[@csmlouis]

Please assess the readiness for winterization and/or total access denial for these managed free/tollway operation. Case in point, the 2021 Fort Worth I-35 100+ wrecks. You can read and make your educated decision on why the contiguous barrier design might be lethal in that .05% of the time. 99.95% of the time, it works as intended. Just not sure if there will ever be the combination of hour-long freezing rain, elevated roadway, and lax winter protocol there.

[@TheSkyGuy77]

Its Florida. Right next to the Gulf Stream, which brings warmer-than-Canada-and-Siberia weather to Europe. They don't have the same problem Texas has/had.

[@skygge1006]

Winterization? Sometimes tampa doesn’t even freeze in awhile hear and when it does it’s at most a few night hours. This area hasn’t seen snow in decades and rarely freezes.