This project is located within the City of Lakeland and in unincorporated Polk County, Florida.  Most of the area surrounding the project consists of residential neighborhoods, with industrial uses clustered at the I-4/SR 33 interchange.  Teneroc Fish Management Area is south of the project.  This section of SR 33 provides a key connection between Lakeland (from the west) to the Florida Polytechnic University campus (to the east). 

During design project details are set, construction documents are prepared, and permits are obtained.  Based on the PD&E Study results, the project has been divided into two design segments. 

Segment One (FPID:  430185-4)
Segment One is the section of SR 33 from Old Combee Road to south of University Boulevard. The typical section for Segment One is a four-lane divided urban roadway. This urban typical section has two 11-foot travel lanes in each direction which are separated by a 22-foot median. Curb and gutter will be located along the median and outside lanes. Ditches along both sides of the roadway provide for collection and treatment of stormwater runoff. A 10-foot sidewalk is along the west side of the road and a 10-foot wide shared use path is along the east side. The existing two-lane SR 33 roadway will be reconstructed. Currently, right-of-way acquisition is funded for 2021 and construction is not funded.

Segment Two (FPID:  430185-3)
Segment Two is the section of SR 33 from south of University Boulevard to north of Tomkow Road. In this segment, I-4 crosses over SR 33 with two parallel bridges. The existing overhead bridge clearance of 14 feet nine inches does not meet the minimum required clearance of 16 feet six inches. In addition, the area under the bridges is not wide enough for the four-lane widening of SR 33. A full reconstruction of the interchange is required. As in Segment One, the existing two-lane SR 33 roadway will be reconstructed. Currently, right-of-way acquisition is funded for 2021 and construction is funded for 2028.

SR 33 Wildlife Crossing (FPID: 430185-7)

The SR 33 wildlife underpass will replace an existing box culvert with a new bridge crossing designed to convey drainage and provide paths for wildlife to pass under SR 33. The crossing will be located on SR 33 approximately 1.8 miles north the I-4/SR 33 interchange.

I-4 Wildlife Crossing (FPID: 201214-8)

The I-4 wildlife crossing will be located approximately 1.6 miles east of the I-4/SR 33 interchange with the intended purpose of connecting to the Tenoroc Management Area to the south. The wildlife crossing will consist of a 44-foot wide bridge crossing over I-4. 

A Public Information Meeting will be held prior to construction. Once the meeting is scheduled, details will be posted here.

If you have questions about the SR 33 Interchange Improvements project, you may contact:

FDOT Construction Project Manager
David Jones
Florida Department of Transportation – District One
801 North Broadway Avenue, M.S. 1-29
Bartow, FL 33830
Phone:  863-519-2345
Email:  david.jones@dot.state.fl.us