I-4 Beyond the Ultimate – The Next 40 Miles
I-4 BEYOND THE ULTIMATE – THE NEXT 40 MILES
Having already developed an ongoing, multiplatform communications plan for the 21-mile I-4 Ultimate reconstruction project, we were honored to be tasked with extending our efforts for I-4 Beyond the Ultimate. More than double in size, I-4 Beyond the Ultimate covers 20 miles north of I-4 Ultimate and the next 20 miles to the south. The Florida Department of Transportation asked Global-5 to help inform stakeholders and the public with updates about the current and future construction projects.
- Client: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
- Website: i4beyond.com
- Services: Public Awareness & Information, Media Relations, Writing & Editing, News Releases & Distribution, Content Development, Email Blasts, ENewsletters, PSAs, Stakeholder Engagement, Good Neighbor Outreach, Public Meetings, Branding, Visual Identity, Graphic Design, Collateral, Presentations, Promotional Toolkits, Outdoor Media, Social Media, Web Design, SEO, Analytics, Interactive Programming, 2D & 3D Animation, Mobile Apps, Audio & Video Production, Photography, FAQs, Subject Matter Expertise, Research, Planning, Surveys, Focus Groups, Database Management, Gaps & Needs Analysis, Campaign Launches, Technology Demonstrations, Press Events, Exhibit Creative Services, Interactive Kiosk Programming, Onsite Logistics
- Markets: Construction, Managed Lanes, Design, Integrated Corridor Management, Government, Transportation
Challenge
Having already developed an ongoing, multiplatform communications plan for the 21-mile I-4 Ultimate reconstruction project, we were honored to be tasked with extending our efforts for I-4 Beyond the Ultimate. More than double in size, I-4 Beyond the Ultimate covers 20 miles north of I-4 Ultimate and the next 20 miles to the south. The Florida Department of Transportation asked Global-5 to help inform stakeholders and the public with updates about the current and future construction projects.
Solutions
PUBLIC MEETINGS
We hosted public meetings in an open-house format where people can arrive at any time during a typical two-hour meeting. These meetings educate residents and business owners about proposed designs that will lead to significant improvements in safety and mobility while increasing connectivity between communities. Attendees can view a video presentation on a loop, examine large-scale maps of the project and ask questions of engineers and others connected with projects. Global-5 pioneered the concept of hybrid public meetings in 2020, allowing for virtual attendance.
I-4 BEYOND THE ULTIMATE WEBSITE
To help establish an ongoing communication with residents, motorists, commuters, truckers, travelers and visitors, we built and are maintaining a website dedicated to I-4 Beyond the Ultimate. When the I-4 Beyond the Ultimate project was in the preliminary design phase, the website served the average motorist and resident, as well as engineering and construction firms that may be interested in becoming involved with project. Now, it serves as a comprehensive general resource for the public to receive information and updates on current and future I-4 Beyond the Ultimate projects.
MULTIPLE DATA STREAMS FOR WEBSITE VISITORS
The I-4 Beyond the Ultimate website sits at the center of many data streams, including smartphones, alert systems, media outlets, and an easy-to-use, interactive map that shows current traffic conditions and detours. Those receiving I-4 Beyond the Ultimate alerts by text or email also receive helpful links back to the website, as do the thousands who receive the project’s newsletters, tweets, and updates.
HANDOUTS AND MATERIALS FOR THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA
We create engaging content to help motorists, residents, truckers, media, travelers, and visitors learn about proposed design features and current progress of I-4 Beyond the Ultimate projects. Since construction began in 2019, we have also prepared alerts to keep the public aware of short-term and permanent changes in traffic flow while constructing projects north and south of downtown Orlando. By providing timely information to interested members of the media, vital project information spreads in newscasts, print articles, and postings. We provide info that is easy to digest, straightforward, factual, and written to hold the interest of media and motorists.
DOOR-TO-DOOR OUTREACH INCREASES ENGAGEMENT
Our Good Neighbor Outreach™ program delivers handouts packed with vital information to front doors in neighborhoods impacted by nearby roadway improvements. This outreach initiative serves to let residents and businesses know what’s coming up in their area. In addition, face-to-face contact establishes a personal relationship and increases engagement with email updates and text alerts.
ADVANCE ALERT SYSTEM GETS PERSONAL
We developed a first-of-its-kind, award-winning alert system that allows drivers to specify the parts of Interstate 4 (I-4) about which they would like to receive information. They also can select to receive hourly, daily, or weekly notifications by text or email about new traffic patterns and detours. With several hundred traffic changes a month taking place within I-4 Beyond the Ultimate projects, our system saves motorists from many delays.