Bartow, Fla. –  The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the State Road (SR) 70 Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study from County Road (CR) 29 to Lonesome Island Road in Highlands County on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

This study will evaluate widening the existing two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway to address existing roadway deficiencies, operational conditions, vehicular safety conditions, and economic development.  

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 SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 public hearing:

Live Online Option
Register in advance: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/597800506978398549
5:45 p.m. Overview for how to submit comments
6 p.m. Formal presentation and comment.
Please review the materials on project webpage before attending (www.swflroads.com/project/414506-5). Materials will be posted by September 21, 2023.

 In-Person Option
Lake Placid Conference Center
2665 Placid View Drive
Lake Placid, FL 33852
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 (www.swflroads.com/project/414506-5) or by email (David.Turley@dot.state.fl.us) or mail (FDOT District One, Attn: David C. Turley, P.E, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830). While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by October 12, 2023, to be included in the formal hearing record. Questions can be answered by calling the FDOT project manager David C. Turley, P.E 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 September 7, 2023, to October 12, 2023, at Lake Placid Memorial Library, 205 West Interlake Boulevard, Lake Placid, FL 33852 and at FDOT District One Headquarters, 801 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. They will also be available on the project webpage.

FDOT is sending notices to property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations within at least 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. 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.