BARTOW, Fla. – Detours and lane closures are a thing of the past for motorists traveling on US 17 near the Bartow Airport and Spirit Lake Road intersection as FDOT’s contractor completes work on improvements, 75 days ahead of schedule. Team partnering and concentrated efforts by the construction crews all contributed to early completion.

Work on the project began in May 2022 and included reconstructing the existing asphalt intersection with a rigid concrete intersection designed to prevent rutting and raveling from heavy truck traffic.  In addition, LED lighting and new signal equipment were added at both Spirit Lake Road and Bomber Road, and turn lanes were extended at Spirit Lake Road, Bomber Road, and Transport Road for safety.

Sidewalk now connects the Bartow Municipal Airport entrance to Bomber Road and new transit pads can be found on both sides of US 17 at the bus stops near Gate Road and Bomber Road. Pedestrians crossing US 17 may also feel safer with high visibility crosswalks at Bomber Road connecting the park and ride lot with the bus stop across US 17.

Prince Contracting LLC of Tampa, Florida completed the $9,720,152.99 project in early December 2023. For more detailed information regarding this project, visit www.swflroads.com/project/439826-1.