Orlando South Interchange Improvements

The Orlando South Interchange Improvements project is located in Orange County, Florida. The Orlando South Interchange serves to connect SR 528, Florida’s Turnpike (SR 91), and US 441. The highly traveled interchange was becoming increasingly congested and unable to meet the demands of the growing infrastructure of the surrounding areas as well as the anticipated traffic resulting from the widening of the adjacent SR 528. Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise knew it was time for a major update, including implementation of safety upgrades, to meet the demands of the developing area.

The design involved improvements to seven ramps and the construction of a new ramp to carry the westbound SR 528/southbound US 441 to SR 91 movement. Structural design included a new 2-lane ramp bridge over US 441 to carry the westbound SR 528/southbound US 441 to SR 91 movement. The bridge is a single span structure with a bridge length equal to 160-feet. The bridge is comprised of Florida-I 78 Beams supported by end bents founded on 18-inch square prestressed concrete piles. Other structural design elements included a thrie-beam railing retrofit on the adjacent existing ramp bridge over US 441, MSE walls, and permanent and temporary sheet pile walls. A box culvert extension was required at the existing dual cell bridge box culvert to accommodate the new ramp movement. Load ratings were performed for both the new and existing bridges, and the extended existing bridge box culvert. One overhead span sign structure was also included.

This project will improve both the function and safety of the Orlando South Interchange. The interchange improvements will support a higher traffic demand providing drivers with a faster and safer means of travel between SR 528, Florida’s Turnpike (SR 91) and US 441.