In this thread we talk about traffic on I-4

ShaedyKD · #1 03-07-2005, 05:46 AM

It's currently 3:30 AM. I just arrived home after sitting in 6 HOURS worth of I-4 traffic due to an oil tractor trailer jack-knifing in the west bound lane. I got on I-4 by Disney, and had to go all the way out to Tampa. The first hour of traffic was due to the fact that 1/2 of the road is open into 3 lanes, the other half is down to one lane, so picture how fun that merging situation is.

The main problems was it took me 5 hours to get between Exits 33 and 31 due to that truck. There was no movement whatsoever for about 98% of the time, so we all just basically parked our cars and just kind of hung out.

During that time, I made friends with a few people. One of the guys happened to be one of my sorority sister's ex-boyfriend. He noticed I was wearing my KD windbreaker, and asked if I was a member at USF. Small world! I remembered him once he introduced himself. He pulled out some bottles of coke and a whole chocolate cheesecake that his mom had bought him. He was really nice and offered us all some. Finally, at about 3 am, the traffic started moving.

I'd like to thank my "cuh" Bobby for our convo, and I want to say SORRY because my stupid cell phone battery died on me!

lifesaver · #2 03-07-2005, 05:52 AM

Thats the worst. I have only seen something like that twice. Once was on I-35 (I was going in the other direction) and because of a truck jacknifed, traffic was backed up about 20 miles.

Another time was on Loop 410. An 18 wheeler had wrecked and fallen off an overpass onto the freeway below, blocking all three lanes of traffic. Those poor people were stuck there for 3 hours. When I passed by, most of them were sitting on the hoods of their cars, parked.

I dont envy you.

ZTAngel · #3 03-07-2005, 10:35 AM

Heh, have you seen the response I've put for my location?

I HATE I-4!!!!!!!!! There use to be a website that was called IhateI4.com but it's no longer running.

The construction on I-4 in the Orlando area is unbelievable. I think they're trying to repave I-4 and then widen it which is need but it's a clusterfuck in the meantime. The entrance lane to get onto I-4 at Conroy is a disaster. There's barricades that block the entrance onto I-4 so, basically, as soon as you turn to get onto the highway, you have to immediately merge into 70mph traffic or ram into the barricades. If I'm heading East from the Mall of Millenia, I just get on at John Young Parkway which is slightly better but not much better.

And the drivers on I-4 are the worst. You have the tourists who don't know where they're going, the old people, the traffic weaving college students, and the slow soccer moms all thrown together. Oh, and I've found that the people from Polk County don't realize that the left lane is for passing. They just sit in the left lane going 20mph below the speed limit.

The part I hate the most about I-4: the I-4/408 interchange. What an asinine way to set up a system. If you get off I-4 West, most likely you'll want to take 408 West. If you get off I-4 East, most likely you'll want to take 408 East. Instead of keeping the I-4 East or West people on one path to get 408 East or West, they make you cross lanes to get to your destination. (It's kinda hard to explain but the Central Florida people will know exactly what I'm talking about) You have a bunch of people who are all trying to cross lanes at the same time. I have seen numerous accidents on that interchange with people sideswiping each other.

Every morning I listed to the traffic report and I don't think a day has gone by where the announcer doesn't say there's an accident on I-4 or a bunch of congestion.

smiley21 · #4 03-07-2005, 03:43 PM

i HATE I-4. Seriously, if you do not go at least 70 mph around downtown Orlando, you could get run over. It is insane.

i remember taking a driving class that said I-4 is near the top of the list of the most dangerous highways in the country. It produces like 12 accidents a day. It seems like more to me.

adpiucf · #5 03-07-2005, 03:58 PM

One of things I DON'T miss about Orlando-- my daily commute on I-4 (from Maitland to I-Drive) when I worked for SeaWorld! Heinous!

Having lived in Los Angeles and DC, two of the biggest traffic hotspots in the country, I can say with certainty that I-4 is up there on my list of "worst rush hour traffic!"

Other than that, I <3 Orlando.

ZTAngel · #6 03-07-2005, 04:21 PM

What a beauty!

Rudey · #7 03-07-2005, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZTAngel
What a beauty!

Why don't you just drive on that open lane on the right?

-Rudey

ZTAngel · #8 03-07-2005, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
Why don't you just drive on that open lane on the right?

-Rudey

Because that's the swerving lane just in case some jackass tries to come into your lane without looking!

ShaedyKD · #9 03-07-2005, 05:54 PM

Yeah, let's talk about last night, how everyone thought they could just use the right and/or left open lane (which is unfinished due to construction and not open for traffic), which resulted in 3 lanes merging into one. When it finally opened up into 2 lanes, we were stuck at the complete standstill due to the accident.

Last night on I-4 made the NJ Turnpike during rush hour seem like a Sunday drive through the park.