Live Online: begins at 5:45 p.m.

In-Person: 5 – 6 p.m. open house, 6 p.m. formal presentation

BARTOW, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the State Road (SR) 544 (Lucerne Park Road) Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from Martin Luther King Boulevard to SR 17 in Polk County on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

This study will evaluate the potential roadway widening along an eight-mile segment of SR 544 (Lucerne Park Road) to accommodate the projected increase in traffic demand, including truck traffic, generated by expected growth in Polk County. Project benefits could include: enhanced safety along the project corridor, improved emergency evacuation, and improved connectivity between Martin Luther King Boulevard and SR 17.

This hearing is being conducted to present the preferred alternative and all analysis to date, as well as to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. You can participate live online or in-person. The information presented during either format will be the same and all attendees will have opportunity to comment.  

 Attend the January 30, 2025 public hearing:

Live Online Option
Register in advance: https://tinyurl.com/SR544PublicHearingRegistration
5:45 p.m. How to submit comments
6 p.m. Formal presentation and comment.
Please review the materials on project webpage before attending: https://www.swflroads.com/project/440273-1.       
Materials will be posted by January 23, 2025.

 In-Person Option
Polk State College

Winter Haven Student Center

999 Ave H NE,

Winter Haven, FL 33881
Anytime between 5 – 6 p.m. Open house
6 p.m. Formal presentation and comment

 If you are unable to attend the hearing, comments can also be provided through the project webpage https://www.swflroads.com/project/440273-1 or by email David.Turley@dot.state.fl.us or by mail to FDOT District One, Attn: David Turley, Project Manager, MS 1-40, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by February 10, to be included in the formal hearing record. All comments are weighted equally. Questions can be answered by calling David Turley at (863) 519-2255.

A summary of the hearing will be available on the webpage approximately 30 days following the close of the comment period.

Project documents will be available for public viewing from January 9 to February 10, at Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881 and at the FDOT District One Headquarters, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830. They will also be available on the project webpage.

Seven resources identified within the project limits are Section 4(f) protected properties under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 774.17. Since the SR 544 PD&E Study proposes minor impacts to and/or acquisition from these 4(f) protected properties, FDOT intends to pursue an Exception/Exemption Section 4(f) determination for one resource, No Use determinations for two resources, and de minimis determinations for four additional historic 4(f) resources, and is asking for the public’s input on the proposed impacts.

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2287, or email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the public hearing.

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