UPDATE! UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING on December 7, 2023
(see the Public Involvement section for details)

FDOT invites you to an upcoming public hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to present information about the preferred alternative and all analysis completed to date. It provides the opportunity for the public to offer feedback on the preferred alternative for the official hearing record. 

About the Project

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study for proposed improvements, including consideration of a single lane roundabout at the intersection of SR 70 and SR 72 in Arcadia, Florida. The purpose of this PD&E study is to evaluate and document potential engineering and environmental effects of any proposed safety improvements considered, including right of way in DeSoto County, Florida. Alternatives to be evaluated shall include pedestrian and bicycle crossings, multi-use pathways to provide safe connectivity for the area, shifting the alignment of SR 72, and reconstruction of SR 70 from CR 661 to the Peace River Bridge. The project area is being evaluated for resilient design concepts that would raise the roadway to alleviate flooding caused by the Peace River.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING! 
Here are the ways you can participate in the upcoming hearing. You do not have to attend the live event in order to submit a comment.

November 30, 2023 Hearing Materials Posted
View all the hearing materials in the Project Documents box below. You will be able to submit comments online if you are unable to attend a live event.

December 7, 2023 Hearing – In-Person and Online
In-Person
Turner-Agri Civic Center
2250 NE Roan Street
Arcadia, FL 34266
5 – 6 p.m. open house (View hearing materials and talk to the team)
6 p.m. formal hearing (Give spoken comment during the formal hearing event)

OR

Online
http://bit.ly/3PKFLqb (Advanced registration required)
5:45 – 6 p.m. learn how to make comments online
6 p.m. view a live broadcast of the in-person event
You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the hearing from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. (Note: Internet Explorer cannot be used for this event)

Review the materials online prior to the event. Remotely view the in-person presentation and provide spoken comment during the formal hearing.

COMMENTS
You may submit comments in the following ways

• Spoken comment during the live event (online or in-person location)
• Online through the project webpage (use the contact box on the right)
• Email the project manager (Patrick.Bateman@dot.state.fl.us)
• By mail: FDOT District One, Attn: Patrick Bateman MS 1-40, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830

You are able to provide written comment about the project at any time, but comments must be submitted by December 17, 2023 to be included in the record for this hearing. You may also call the project manager (phone number to the right) if you have questions before you submit your comment.

If you need ADA or Translation Services:
Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator by phone at (863) 519-2287 or by email at cynthia.sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days before the live event you plan to attend.

The Florida Department of Transportation is required to comply with various non-discrimination laws and regulations, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Anyone wishing to express concern about Title VI should contact Cynthia Sykes at the information above.

Public Notices
This meeting will be advertised according to federal and state statutes in the following places:
On this project webpage
Email to public officials and interested parties
Newsletter to local property owners near the project

ROUNDABOUTS
This project will include a roundabout as a part of the proposed improvements. Roundabouts have many benefits, especially for safety.

Click here for a link to some basic roundabout information that expands on some the benefits.
Click here for video of a local Lake Wales roundabout and how it works for truck traffic.