Construction Keeping Area Roads Closed

Four separate construction projects are causing lengthy detours for area drivers, according to Bill Skelton, Project Management Liaison for Polk County. Travel delays, some lengthy, can be expected while traffic is detoured to bypass these closures.

The newest announced closure is along Lake Wales-Alturas Road North, just west Crews Road, in rural, unincorporated Lake Wales. That road is closing at the railroad crossing on Thursday, February 23 for two to five days to allow CSX Transportation to upgrade track components for safer, smoother crossings.

A Polk County drainage improvement project will close Reese Drive from Hester Avenue to Bruce Blvd. near Kissimmee State Park for about twenty days starting Friday, February 24, according to Skelton. Reese Drive will be open-cut for the installation of a large storm drainage pipe.

The Old Bartow Lake Wales Road at County Road 653 (Rattlesnake Road) intersection in southeast Winter Haven will remain closed for several more weeks to complete a roundabout project. Detours sending traffic as far away as US 27 have hindered travel.

The project, begun last fall, has extended far beyond the forecast 30 days, and is delayed by utility pole relocations needed to finish the work, Skelton said. A new Polk County Public School and a large-scale subdivision bordering that intersection are also under construction, complicating traffic flows.

Nearby, another large-scale development, Harmony at Lake Eloise, continues to keep the intersection of West Lake Eloise Drive and Eloise Loop Road closed for construction of a roundabout project. That effort is also postponed by the need for utility pole relocations. An opening schedule will be announced when work resumes, Skelton said.

Commuters are advised to drive safely, observe detour signs, and to add extra time to trips through these areas. For more details, call Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200.