Polk County RoadWatch

View project: I-4 @ SR 33 Interchange Improvements and Wildlife Crossings

• I-4 at State Road (S.R.) 33 (Exit 38): Construction project: Project improvements include reconstructing the existing interchange, reconstructing I-4 bridges over S.R. 33, widening and resurfacing S.R. 33, constructing wildlife crossings over I-4 and under S.R. 33, and adding noise walls along S.R. 33. This week, crews will work on clearing vegetation, installation of barrier walls, paving operations for on-off ramps, pavement markings, drainage operations, and utility work.

  • Nightly detours will be in place from May 26 through May 29, 2026, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., to support ongoing bridge construction. During these operations, SR 33 northbound and southbound will be closed at the I‑4 overpass, requiring motorists traveling northbound to use University Boulevard and motorists traveling southbound to follow a detour via Tomkow Road. Truck traffic traveling northbound will be directed onto I‑4 eastbound and then to Exit 44 (SR 559) to re‑enter SR 33, while southbound trucks will follow the Tomkow Road detour. In addition, the I‑4 eastbound and westbound off‑ramps to SR 33 (Exit 38) will be closed nightly, and drivers seeking access to SR 33 from either direction of I‑4 will be required to continue to Exit 33 and follow posted signage to return to SR 33. Portable Changeable Message Signs and detour signage will be in place to guide motorists through the temporary traffic pattern, and drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time, follow all posted detours, and use caution when traveling through the construction zone.
  • Motorists should expect single lane closures on I-4 during nighttime/overnight hours from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
  • Motorists should expect double lane closures on I-4 during nighttime/overnight hours from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
  • Motorists should expect lane closures and flagging operations on S.R. 33 during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
  • Motorists should expect lane shifts on I-4 and S.R. 33 through the duration of the construction.
  • Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting I-4 through the duration of the construction.

  Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers that work is underway. Estimated completion is Summer 2029.

   

View project: US 98 from south of Griffin Road to Sharon Drive

• • Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures throughout the project (weather permitting) both north and southbound while crews are working on punch list items. Use caution and be prepared to merge.
  • Expect daytime lane closures north of I-4 while crews work on signals. Use caution and be prepared to merge.
  • Use caution at the signalized intersections as crews will be switching power to the new signal heads and removing the existing poles.

View project: SR 572 at Waring Rd. & SR 572 from Drane Field Rd. to Pipkin Creek Rd.

• S.R. 572 from Airport Road to Pipkin Creek Road and S.R. 572 Roundabout at Waring Road: Construction project: Project improvements include resurfacing and lane widening on S.R. 572 and a new roundabout at Waring Road. This week, crews will work on installing signage, pavement markings, and electrical systems. Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway during this operation.

  • Motorists should expect lane closures through the duration of the construction.
  • Resurfacing project – expect lane closures during the nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Roundabout – expect lane closures during the nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Motorists should expect lane shifts through the duration of the construction.
  • Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway through the duration of the construction.

  Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers that work is underway. Estimated completion is spring 2026.

View project: Fort Fraser Trail Over SR 60

• Use caution and watch for workers close to the road as the contractor begins mobilizing equipment and clearing and grubbing operations.

View project: US 98 from north of SR 60 to north of CR 540A

• • Watch for shoulder closures during the day as the contractor performs signal work at Lyle Parkway and Ernest Smith Drive.
  • Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures at Lyle Parkway for drainage work Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday, May 28. Use caution when merging.

   

View project: US 98 at Lyle Parkway Intersection

• • Watch for shoulder closures during the day as the contractor performs signal work at Lyle Parkway and Ernest Smith Drive.
  • Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures at Lyle Parkway for drainage work Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday, May 28. Use caution when merging.

   

View project: SR 33 (Lakeland Hills Blvd.) from Parkview Place to North of Granada Street

• This week, crews will continue constructing curb pads and placing curb along side streets, installing light pole bases and conduit for pedestrian signal poles, along the east side of Lakeland Hills Boulevard.

  • Traffic impacts: One lane in each direction will remain open for most of the project duration. Drivers should use caution, be prepared to merge or stop, and allow extra travel time.
  • Speed limit: Reduced to 35 MPH within the construction zone.

   

View project: SR 17 (Scenic Highway) at CR 546 (Kokomo Road) Signal

• This week the contractor will be working off the roadway with no planned lane closures.

View project: SR 33 (Commonwealth Avenue) at Mount Olive Road

• This week the crews will begin underground and concrete work with no planned lane closures. Watch for shoulder closures and workers close to the road.

View project: U.S. 17/92 from North Ramona Avenue to east of South 3rd Street

• Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures and be prepared to merge as paving continues, Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, May 29.

   

View project: S.R. 37 (N. Church Ave/S. Florida Ave) from north of Virginia Street to south of Schoolhouse Road

• This week crews will continue placing permanent striping at night/overnight weather permitting Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

View project: U.S. 17 from north of Transport Road in Bartow to Avenue G SW in Winter Haven

• Expect nighttime/overnight lane closures Monday through Friday nights as crews continue milling and resurfacing, weather permitting. Use caution prepared to merge.

   

View project: S.R. 544 (Lucerne Park Road) at Old Lucerne Park Road East

• This week workers will be working on underground conduit, installing pull boxes and constructing new sidewalk. Use caution and watch for shoulder closures with workers close to the road.

View project: CSX Bridge over I-4 Replacement

• This week crews will be working at the Kathleen Road Ramps and pile driving.

  • Expect Eastbound S.R. 539 (Kathleen Road) off-ramp closure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, May 29. I-4 motorists traveling eastbound should continue to the next exit at U.S. 98 (Exit 32). Head south on U.S. 98 to George Jenkins Boulevard. Head west on George Jenkins Boulevard back to Kathleen Road.
  • Use caution and add time to your schedule to reach your destination.

   

• This week crews will be working at the Kathleen Road Ramps and will continue pile driving at the new bridge.

  • Expect westbound I-4 on-ramp closure at Kathleen Road (Exit 31) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday for removal of materials. Motorists wanting to enter I-4 westbound should continue northbound on Kathleen Road past the closed ramp. Turn east on Griffin Road to U.S. 98, head north on U.S. 98 and follow it to the I-4 westbound on-ramp at U.S. 98 (Exit 32)
  • Use caution and add time to your schedule to reach your destination.