The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study to provide conceptual design, traffic engineering, environmental analysis and environmental documentation for improvements along US 17/92 (Hinson Avenue) from South 1st Street to 17th Street in Haines City, Polk County. The purpose of this project is to address the deficient capacity of US 17/92 within downtown Haines City. This in turn will alleviate existing congestion on the corridor and accommodate projected travel demand. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be evaluated as part of this improvement providing connection to community points of interest. Other goals of the project are to enhance safety conditions, mobility options, and to improve local transportation network connectivity.

The objective of this study is to evaluate project Alternatives that include two Ultimate Build Alternatives and one No-Build Alternative. Both Ultimate Build Alternatives would improve operation of the intersections at SR 17 (10th Street) and 17th Street. Additionally, Ultimate Build Alternative 1 and Ultimate Build Alternative 2 would provide additional roadway capacity between SR 17 (10th Street) and 17th Street. The primary difference in environmental impacts between Build Alternatives occurs at the existing railroad bridge (160031). Ultimate Build Alternative 1 proposes the removal and reconstruction of the existing Hinson Avenue underpass. Ultimate Build Alternative 2 would avoid removal of the Hinson Avenue underpass by introducing new lanes at-grade just north of the existing structure. With the removal and reconstruction of the underpass, Ultimate Build Alternative 1 would maintain the grade separation present between the roadway and both the existing rail line as well as Haines City Trail. With the construction of at-grade lanes, Ultimate Alternative 2 would include a new at-grade crossing of both the rail line and Haines City Trail, potentially introducing new safety and traffic operations concerns to the corridor. Additionally, by maintaining the existing railroad bridge, Ultimate Build Alternative 2 would not address the current substandard clearance (14 feet 5 inches) provided by the rail underpass on US 17/92 (Hinson Avenue).

Public Hearing - A Public Hearing for this project is tentatively planned in Winter 2024 or Spring 2025. Please check back frequently for updates.

Public Workshop - FDOT held a Virtual Public Workshop for this project in December of 2020. Although the workshop period is now closed, materials from the Public Workshop are still available below.

Project Newsletters:

• Newsletter1
• Newsletter2

Project Comment Form: is also included within the Documents Section.