BARTOW, Fla. –  The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a Public Meeting for the Old Dixie Trail Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study (FPID: 435391-1). This paved trail will connect the trailheads of the Auburndale-TECO Trail and the Haines City Trail, a distance of approximately 12 miles in Polk County. The Old Dixie Trail PD&E Public Meeting is being conducted to present information about the preferred alternative and all analysis completed to date. The Old Dixie PD&E Public Meeting will also provide the opportunity for the public to express their views about the project.

You can participate live online or in person. The same materials will be displayed at both events. Attend the public workshop.

  If you are unable to attend the meeting, comments can be provided through the project webpage https://www.swflroads.com/project/435391-1 or by email at Steven.Andrews@dot.state.fl.us or mail FDOT District One, Attn: Steven A. Andrews, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by November 7, 2024, to be included in the formal meeting record. Questions can be answered by calling the FDOT project manager, Steven Andrews, at (863) 519-2270.

FDOT is sending notices to property owners, business owners, interested persons, and organizations within 300 feet of the project to provide the opportunity to give comments to FDOT regarding this project. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. The project, as proposed, will impact approximately 2,309 square feet (0.053 acres) of property from the City of Lake Alfred’s Frank C. Gardner Park. These impacts are needed to accommodate the 10-foot shared-use path and the relocation of the Citrus Connection bus stop proposed between US 17/92 and the park. Although impacts will occur to landscaped portions of the park, no impacts will occur to the Veteran’s Memorial within the park. As part of the project development process and in accordance with Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act of 1966, the FDOT is seeking comments from the public concerning the effects of the project on the activities, features, and attributes of this resource. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns about Title VI may do so by contacting Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830, call (863) 519-2287 or via email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.