The Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise appreciates your interest in this project. Please use the navigation menu to view display boards. Clicking on the graphic will enlarge the view. The display boards are available for download on the main project website under the Documents section. If you wish to submit comments, please use the comment form below.
Public Meeting Central Polk Pkwy East PD&E Study from US 17-92 to future Poinciana Connector SR 538
A PD&E Study is the second phase of FDOT’s Project Development Process. It determines the environmental effects associated with a proposed transportation project. Key components of a PD&E Study include an evaluation of existing conditions, identification of future traffic needs, alternatives development, and evaluation of the alternatives based on environmental and engineering factors. An important component of the PD&E process is public and agency involvement. All findings and recommendations are documented at the end of the study. If a build alternative is selected, then the project moves forward into the design phase.
The study area is located in northeast Polk County. The study limits begin on US 17/92, south of the Power Line Road Extension, and extend approximately seven miles northeast to the future Poinciana Connector. The CSX rail line borders the study area on the west side.
The purpose and need for a project provides the basis for developing, considering, evaluating, and eliminating project alternatives. The need for the Central Polk Parkway East include accommodating population growth and the associated travel demands, improving regional connectivity and overall system linkage, enhancing freight mobility and economic competitiveness, and enhancing safety, emergency evacuation and response.
Increased travel demand within Polk County has led to congested roadways. Today, light, moderate or heavy congestion is regularly observed on several major regional roadways including Interstate 4, US 27 and US 17/92 during the peak travel periods.
The congested conditions on these major regional roadways will continue to degrade if no improvements or alternative travel routes are constructed. Heavy traffic congestion is forecasted for Interstate 4, US 27, US 17/92, Lee Jackson Highway, and County Road 532 by the year 2050.
Historical crash data between 2019 and 2023 show a total of 459 crashes occurred on US 17/92 within the study area, resulting in nine fatalities and 179 injuries. Separating the local and regional traffic will reduce opportunities for crashes thereby enhancing safety along US 17/92.
This display board highlight the existing condition features within the study area that will influence the development and evaluation of project alternatives. North is oriented to the right.
This display board highlight the existing condition features within the study area that will influence the development and evaluation of project alternatives. North is oriented to the right.
This display board highlight the existing condition features within the study area that will influence the development and evaluation of project alternatives. North is oriented to the right.
There are several on-going PD&E, design, and construction projects within and adjacent to the limits of this PD&E study to serve the growing regional travel demands.
After the Public Kickoff Meeting, project alternatives will be developed and presented for feedback at an Alternatives Public Information Meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. We then anticipate presenting the final study recommendations at a Public Hearing in the fourth quarter of 2025 and completing the study in the first quarter of 2026. Please note that this schedule is subject to change.
If you have any questions or comments on the project or PD&E process, you may contact the Project Manager directly by email or phone, submit your comments via the project website, or submit your comments by US mail.
This project is being developed in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.