Happy Monday, Orlando. We’ll see sunshine with some clouds mixed in today, with the chance for a stray thunderstorm. Highs will be around 93 degrees. Here’s what’s on deck:

• I-4 Commuters Face the Nation’s Worst Traffic

• UCF's $88M Roth Tower Expansion Approved

Let’s dive in.

TRANSPORTATION

I-4 Commuters Face the Nation’s Worst Traffic

The Big Picture: Commuters on I-4 in Central Florida endure the nation’s longest traffic delays, surpassing even those in major cities like New York and Los Angeles. INRIX’s 2023 global traffic scorecard highlights this notorious stretch, ranking it the most congested roadway in the U.S.

By the Numbers:

• The 12-mile stretch of I-4 between State Road 528 and State Road 429 is now the worst in the U.S., up from tenth place in 2022.

• At peak times, like 5:30 PM on a Thursday, this segment can take 40 minutes to traverse.

• I-4 commuters lost an average of 124 hours in 2023, translating to 31 minutes daily.

Why It Matters: The severe congestion on I-4 disrupts daily life for many, particularly service workers commuting from Osceola County to Orlando’s theme parks. Factors contributing to this gridlock include:

• Tourist Traffic: Continuous flow of tourists adds to daily congestion.

• Construction: Ongoing and planned construction projects squeeze traffic flow further.

• Remote Work Impact: Unexpectedly, remote work trends post-pandemic have intensified traffic in Central Florida rather than reducing it.

Looking Ahead:

• Infrastructure Investments: Projects like I-4 Beyond The Ultimate and Moving Florida Forward aim to alleviate congestion.

  • $4 billion allocated for the Moving Florida Forward project.

  • Construction on a segment from Champions Gate to Osceola Parkway set to start in late 2024.

  • Expedited completion of additional lanes between State Road 417 and U.S. 27 by 2025, ahead of the initial 2030 target.

• Alternative Transportation: Efforts to expand SunRail to the airport and build Brightline to Tampa are in the works.

Local Efforts: Osceola County is working on widening county roads that connect to I-4 to prevent new bottlenecks once interstate improvements are completed.

The Bottom Line: While significant infrastructure projects promise future relief, I-4 commuters must currently endure the nation's most challenging traffic, impacting daily commutes and quality of life.

Read more here (Orlando Sentinel)

ON THE DOCKET

What’s Happening this Week?

1. Bolivia takes on Panama tonight at 9 PM at Inter&Co in the Copa América group stage.

2. Christmas in July kicks off tomorrow at the Florida Mall.

3. Independence Day is this Thursday. Here are all of the fireworks and festivities happening in Orlando, courtesy of Orlando Weekly.

COLLEGE ATHLETICS

UCF's $88M Roth Tower Expansion Approved

What's happening: UCF has received final approval for an $88 million expansion of Roth Tower at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The state's Board of Governors greenlighted the proposal, with construction set to begin after the upcoming football season.

Project details: This expansion is part of a larger football campus upgrade presented by UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir in 2021.

Phase I highlights:

• Sharon and Marc Hagle Gateway, a new entryway to the stadium.

• McNamara Cove, featuring a recovery river and hydrotherapy pool.

• Taylor A. Gerring Football Center, a two-story football operations building.

Phase II highlights:

• Expanding Roth Tower by 58,000 square feet.

• Adding 1,236 club seats, 34 loge boxes, 34 skybays, and 25 luxury suites.

Funding:

• Orange County commissioners approved $90 million in Tourism Development Tax (TDT) funds, providing $10 million annually over nine years.

• UCF plans to use a $70 million bank loan and $30 million in bonds for short-term financing.

Financial impact: The expanded seating is expected to generate an additional $2.4 million annually, bolstering UCF's revenue.

Construction timeline: The design phase is wrapping up, with construction starting post-football season. The tower will be under construction during the 2025 season but will be usable. Completion is expected by the start of the 2026 football season.

Next steps: Fundraising for Phase I is ongoing. The school has moved one of the two practice fields to make way for the gateway construction, with additional projects set to start after the football season.

Read more here (Orlando Sentinel)

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

1. Gov. DeSantis vetoed a bill aiming to regulate vacation rentals.

2. These are Orlando International’s most delayed flights.

3. Wyndham Orlando introduced an AI bartender named Sara.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s edition of the newsletter. See you back here tomorrow.

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