Canal Road Blocked for Coming Days

According to officials of the Polk County Road and Drainage Division, Canal Road in Lake Wales will be closed beginning today, Thursday September 19 from Porter Road to Black Road. The closure is one of several that has impacted motorists across Polk County in recent weeks and months.

The stretch of road is being reconstructed through a process called "full-depth reclamation" that restores the roadbed to a like-new condition, after which it will be finished with a new asphalt surface course.

Roads & Drainage Division Project Management Liaison Bill Skelton says that the project "started ahead of schedule and requires a five-day detour as part of a ten-day overall schedule."

Traffic will be detoured along Lake Mabel Loop Road, Watkins Road or Lake Hatchineha Road to bypass the work zone, Skelton said. During construction, commuters should expect delays and longer trips through the area. Motorists are advised to drive with caution, follow detour signs, and add extra drive time, especially during peak-hour traffic.

Meanwhile, the closure of H.L. Smith Road just north of Lake Mabel Loop Road in Dundee has been extended until mid-October due to unforeseen conditions requiring plan revisions and causing delays in state regulatory approvals, which postponed installation of underground utilities and related road reconstruction for a new residential subdivision. Traffic will continue to detour along Lake Swan Road or Lake Mabel Loop Road to Lake Trask Road to bypass work zone.

Access to local residences is unaffected. Minor delays are possible, especially with peak-hour traffic along Lake Trask Road at Dundee Ridge Academy during student drop-offs and pickups. Commuters remain advised to drive with caution, be alert to detour signs, and to add extra drive time to trips through this area. For more details, contact the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200.