Polk County RoadWatch

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

• I-4 at S.R. 33 (Exit 38) in Lakeland: 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, installing barrier walls, paving operations for on-off ramps, pavement markings, drainage operations, and utility work.

  • Beginning Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. to Friday October 23, 2026, at 6 a.m., crews will close and detour northbound and southbound S.R. 33 for bridge demolition. Motorists are advised to follow all posted detour routes and proceed through the area with caution.
  • The S.R. 659 (North Combee Road) detour began on Monday, August 10, 2026. The area will be detoured for approximately 60 days; motorists should follow posted detour routes utilizing connections to S.R. 33 (Lakeland Hills Boulevard) and surrounding roadways. This closure is in place to expedite the completion of the project earlier than currently anticipated. 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, flagging operations, and periodic overnight detours on S.R. 33 during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
  • Detours at the I-4/S.R. 33 interchange may occur Monday through Friday from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. for bridge construction activities. Northbound traffic will be detoured via I-4 eastbound and S.R. 559, while southbound traffic will be detoured via Tomkow Road. 
  • Motorists should expect periodic nighttime closures of the I-4 eastbound and westbound off-ramps at Exit 38 (S.R. 33/Commonwealth Avenue) on an as-needed basis, Sunday through Thursday nights from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., through the duration of the construction. When closures are in place, motorists will be directed to continue to Exit 33 and follow posted detour signage to access S.R. 33.
  • 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: Fort Fraser Trail Over SR 60

• This week crews will excavate materials in the median and continue pile driving, forming and tying reinforced steel caps, placing concrete and working at the MSE wall.

  • The trail remains closed at the north trial head just north of S.R. 60 through the end of the trail on the south side of S.R. 60. The north end of the trail remains open.
  • The westbound left turn lane and median opening from S.R. 60 to Chick-Fil-A is now closed through early spring 2027. Westbound drivers heading to Chick-Fil-A can continue on S.R. 60 to Wilson Avenue and make a left there.
  • A single eastbound lane from the median opening at Chick-Fil-A up to the Left turn lanes into Walmart is also closed through early spring 2027. The Walmart entrance is not affected.
  • On Monday night, October 12, crews are scheduled to move the crane from the median to the south side of S.R. 60 to pull some pile casings and return to the median. This will affect the eastbound lanes only between 8 p0.m. and midnight for approximately 15 minutes at a time for each crossing.
  • Use caution and be prepared to merge.

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

• • This week, electrical crews will continue installing signalization, lighting conduit and bases throughout the project. Drainage crews will continue installing drainage along the west side of Lakeland Hills Boulevard. Roadway crews will continue demolishing the old southbound lanes between Parkview Place and  East Bella Vista Street.
  • There will be drainage and sanitary sewer work taking place this week along the west leg of the intersection of Lakeland Hills Boulevard and Parkview Place.
    • A detour has been implemented around-the-clock during this work and the west side of the Parkview Place and Lakeland Hills Boulevard intersection will be closed to through traffic.
    • Northbound and southbound traffic on Lakeland Hills Boulevard will be maintained throughout the work. However, eastbound and westbound traffic on Parkview Place will be required to follow the designated detour route which uses East Crawford Street and Merrell Drive as an alternate route for accessing Parkview Place.
    • The Lakeland Regional Health ambulance entrance and the Watson Clinic driveway will remain open during construction but will only be accessible from U.S. 98 while work is underway at the intersection.
  • 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: US 98 from north of SR 60 to north of CR 540A

• The median opening on U.S. 98 at Lyle Parkway is now closed while crews install a new traffic signal. Motorists should proceed to the next median opening and U-turn to access Lyle Parkway.

View project: US 98 at Lyle Parkway Intersection

• The median opening on U.S. 98 at Lyle Parkway is now closed while crews install a new traffic signal. Motorists should proceed to the next median opening and U-turn to access Lyle Parkway.

View project: S.R. 17 (Scenic Highway) from Old Scenic Highway to S.R. 544/C.R. 544

• Crews will begin paving at night/overnight. Watch for lane closures with flaggers directing traffic Sunday through Thursday nights. Use caution and be prepared to stop.

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

• This week contractor will be installing streetlight poles. Use caution and be prepared to merge or stop.

  Important Note: Until the new traffic signals are activated and placed into service, motorists must continue to obey the existing traffic control signs and devices at the intersection. DO NOT treat this intersection as a three-way stop. Lucerne Park Road traffic does not stop unless turning onto Old Lucerne Park Road.

  This project is one of three equally important signal projects under this contract. As a result, crews may be working at one of the other project sites. All three signals are expected to be operational in late fall.

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

• • Expect periodic 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 periodic daytime lane closures north of I-4 while crews work on punch list items. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

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

• This week contractor will be installing streetlight poles. Use caution and be prepared to merge or stop.

  Important Note: Until the new traffic signals are activated and placed into service, motorists must continue to obey the existing traffic control signs and devices at this intersection. DO NOT treat this intersection as a four-way stop. S.R. 17 traffic does not stop unless turning onto Kokomo Road.

  This project is one of three equally important signal projects under this contract. As a result, crews may be working at one of the other project sites. All three signals are expected to be operational in late fall.

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

• This week contractor will be installing streetlight poles. Use caution and be prepared to merge or stop.

  Important Note: Until the new traffic signals are activated and placed into service, motorists must continue to obey the existing traffic control signs and devices at each intersection. DO NOT treat this intersection as a four-way stop. S.R. 33 traffic does not stop unless turning on to Mount Olive Road.

  This project is one of three equally important signal projects under this contract. As a result, crews may be working at one of the other project sites. All three signals are expected to be operational in late fall.

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 placing pavement markings. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

View project: S.R. 544 (Havendale Boulevard) Sidewalks

• Crews continue constructing gravity wall and sidewalks. Expect eastbound lane closures during the day. Use caution and be prepared to merge.

View project: CSX Bridge over I-4 Replacement

• Expect westbound I-4 on-ramp closure at Kathleen Road (Exit 31) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. nightly, Monday through Friday nights this week. 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).