The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reports the ramp was closed starting at 6:30 a.m. on June 9, 2026.
As of the latest update at 7:48 a.m., the ramp remains shut down while emergency crews work the scene.
Road Rangers are on site, and motorists are urged to “Move Over or Slow Down” for all emergency and roadside vehicles.
Traffic cameras captured the resulting congestion, with long lines of cars and commercial trucks backed up on I-4 westbound. At mile marker 46.4, heavy traffic filled multiple lanes as vehicles crawled through the area.
A short distance farther at mile marker 48.7, an overhead electronic sign warned of a blocked left shoulder four miles ahead, while a nearby rest area truck parking sign showed just eight spaces still available as of 7:47 a.m.
The incident has been classified as major severity. Drivers heading west through Polk County should expect significant delays and consider alternate routes if possible.
