The planning phase is the first phase of FDOT’s Project Development Process. An Alternative Corridor Evaluation, or ACE, is a planning-level study. Key components of an ACE include establishing the project’s purpose and need, defining the environment, and developing corridor alternatives. Engineering feasibility and impacts to environmental features for each alternative corridor were evaluated, fatal flaws were identified, and feedback from stakeholders and the community was solicited.  The feasible corridor will advance to the PD&E Study for further evaluation.

Project Development Process

• Phase 1 Planning
  • Key Components of a Planning Study:
    • Establish Purpose and Need
    • Define environment
    • Develop corridor alternatives
    • Solicit stakeholder and community input
    • Engineering and environmental evaluations
    • Select corridor for further evaluation
• Phase 2 PD&E Study
• Phase 3 Design
• Phase 4 Right-of-way
• Phase 5 Construction

This board illustrates the history of the Central Polk Parkway East project, tracing its development from the initial study that began in 2007 to the present.

Project History

Timeline Milestones

Project needs include:

Accommodate Population Growth & Travel Demand
(Year 2050)

Improve Regional Connectivity

Enhance Freight Mobility and Economic Competitiveness

Enhance Safety & Emergency Evacuation

The project is located in northeast Polk County. The selected corridor begins at US 27, north of Cypress Gardens Boulevard/Waverly Road in unincorporated Polk County, and extends to US 17/92, near Ernie Caldwell Boulevard in the City of Davenport.

This display board presents existing sociocultural features for the selected corridor from US 27 to north of Lake Mabel Loop Road. Sociocultural features include residential parcels less than 1.5 acres, commercial areas, community features, and developments that are either proposed, approved, or under construction.

This display board presents existing sociocultural features for the selected corridor from north of Lake Mabel Loop Road to south of Johnson Avenue. Sociocultural features include residential parcels less than 1.5 acres, commercial areas, community features, and developments that are either proposed, approved or under construction.

This display presents existing sociocultural features for the selected corridor from south of Johnson Avenue to north of US 17/92. Sociocultural features include residential parcels less than 1.5 acres, commercial areas, community features, and developments that are either proposed, approved or under construction.

This display presents existing environmental features for the selected corridor from US 27 to north of Lake Mabel Loop Road. Environmental features include wetlands, conservation and managed areas, floodplains, and wildlife observations.

This display presents existing environmental features for the selected corridor from Lake Mabel Loop Road to south of Johnson Avenue. Environmental features include wetlands, conservation and managed areas, floodplains, and wildlife observations.

This display presents existing environmental features for the selected corridor from south of Johnson Avenue to north of US 17/92. Environmental features include wetlands, conservation and managed areas, floodplains, and wildlife observations.

Corridor alternatives E and F and the selected corridor were compared against each other to help determine which corridor best meets project purpose and need, while avoiding and minimizing impacts to existing features. The evaluation matrix shown on this display board summarizes the results of a preliminary comparison of the corridor alternatives.

Evaluation Matrix

This section compares Corridor E (Options E1 and E2), Corridor F (Options F1 and F2), and the Selected Corridor.

All measurements are listed by category and unit.

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1. Engineering

Length (miles)

• Corridor E1: 21.12 miles

• Corridor E2: 21.14 miles

• Corridor F1: 17.33 miles

• Corridor F2: 17.35 miles

• Selected Corridor: 17.77 miles

Proposed Corridor Width (excluding interchange areas, feet)

• All corridors: 500 feet

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2. Social Impacts

Residential Parcel Impacts (number of parcels)

• E1: 136

• E2: 138

• F1: 91

• F2: 93

• Selected Corridor: 95

Commercial Parcel Impacts

• E1: 11

• E2: 11

• F1: 2

• F2: 2

• Selected Corridor: 2

Agricultural Parcel Impacts

• E1: 94

• E2: 92

• F1: 87

• F2: 85

• Selected Corridor: 85

Other Parcel Impacts (not residential, commercial, or agricultural)

• E1: 8

• E2: 6

• F1: 12

• F2: 10

• Selected Corridor: 21

Community Cohesion Effects (qualitative ranking)

• E1: Medium

• E2: Medium

• F1: Low

• F2: Low

• Selected Corridor: Low

Planned and Approved Developments (total number)

• E1: 8

• E2: 8

• F1: 3

• F2: 3

• Selected Corridor: 6

Breakdown by City:

Davenport

• E1: 2

• E2: 2

• F1: 2

• F2: 2

• Selected: 1

Haines City

• E1: 0

• E2: 0

• F1: 0

• F2: 0

• Selected: 2

Lake Hamilton

• All corridors: 0

Dundee

• E1: 0

• E2: 0

• F1: 1

• F2: 1

• Selected: 3

Lake Wales

• E1: 6

• E2: 6

• F1: 0

• F2: 0

• Selected: 0

Winter Haven

• All corridors: 0

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3. Natural Resources

Wetlands (acres)

• E1: 242.01

• E2: 246.91

• F1: 126.47

• F2: 131.37

• Selected Corridor: 72.27

Floodplains (acres)

• E1: 393.83

• E2: 400.58

• F1: 285.93

• F2: 292.68

• Selected Corridor: 138.32

Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat (acres)

• E1: 2,535.18

• E2: 2,538.25

• F1: 1,784.84

• F2: 1,787.86

• Selected Corridor: 1,748.85

Bald Eagle Nests (number)

• E1: 2

• E2: 2

• F1: 1

• F2: 1

• Selected Corridor: 1

Conservation Lands, Preserves, and Wildlife Management Lands (acres)

• E1: 6.93

• E2: 6.93

• F1: 53.57

• F2: 53.57

• Selected Corridor: 50.54

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4. Cultural Resources

Parks and Recreational Facilities

• All corridors: 0

Archaeological and Historic Sites

• All corridors: 1

Cemeteries

• All corridors: 0

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5. Physical Impacts

Contamination Sites (number)

• E1: 8

• E2: 8

• F1: 11

• F2: 11

• Selected Corridor: 15

Utility Conflicts (number)

• E1: 15

• E2: 14

• F1: 21

• F2: 20

• Selected Corridor: 24

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Accessibility Improvements Made

This version:

• Removes reliance on color (red/yellow/green) to communicate impact level

• Uses consistent headings for navigation by screen reader

• Lists units clearly for every measurement

• Avoids side-by-side layout that can confuse assistive tech

• Uses plain language labels

Increasing travel demand within Polk County has resulted in congested roadways. Today, light, moderate, or heavy congestion is regularly being observed on several major regional roadways including Interstate 4, SR 60, US 27 and US 17/92 during peak travel periods.

Existing Traffic Conditions (2023)

This congestion map illustrates light, moderate, or heavy congestion that is regularly observed on major regional roadways including Interstate 4, US 27, SR 60, and US 17/92 during peak travel periods.

What is Level of Service?

Level of Service (LOS) measures how well a roadway is operating using a six-letter grading system. Level of Service A represents free-flow traffic conditions, while Level of Service F represents congested conditions.

Legend:

Light congestion → Level of Service D
Moderate congestion → Level of Service E
Heavy congestion → Level of Service F

By 2050, heavy traffic is projected on Interstate 4, US 27, SR 60, US 17/92, Lee Jackson Highway, and County Road 532. Without any improvements or alternative travel routes, congestion on these major regional roadways will continue to worsen.

Forecasted Traffic Conditions (2050)

By 2050, congestion on many portions of the existing roadway network will be consistently heavy if nothing is done.

On Map

Congestion Level | Level of Service

Light | D
Moderate | E
Heavy | F

What is Level of Service?

Level of Service (LOS) measures how well a roadway is operating using a six-letter grading system. Level of Service A represents free-flow traffic conditions while Level of Service F represents congested conditions.

Measurements:
LOS A–B – Light
LOS C–D – Moderate
LOS E–F – Heavy

The proposed typical section being considered for evaluation is a four-lane, limited access, divided, tolled facility with an approximate total right-of-way width of 310 feet.

After the December public meetings, the selected corridor will be evaluated in three separate PD&E studies, scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2026. Additional public meetings and formal public hearings will be conducted as part of the PD&E studies. The studies are anticipated to be complete by the 2^nd quarter of 2027. Please note that this schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Schedule:

Begin Study
1st QUARTER
2026

Public Information Meeting
3rd QUARTER
2026

Public Hearing
1st QUARTER
2027

Study Complete
2nd QUARTER
2027

This project is being developed in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

TITLE VI COMPLIANCE

The proposed project is being developed in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status.

To express concern(s) relative to the Department’s compliance with Title VI, please contact the following:

 

Desarae Stills

Title VI Coordinator
Florida Department of Transportation
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
P.O. Box 613069
Ocoee, FL 34761-3069
(407) 264-3111
[email protected]

 

OR

Aldrin Sanders

State Title VI Coordinator
Florida Department of Transportation
Equal Opportunity Office
605 Suwannee Street, MS 65
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450
(850) 414-4764
[email protected]

Spanish Text:

El proyecto propuesto está siendo desarrollado de acuerdo con la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964. Bajo el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles. Se solicita la participación del público, sin distinción de raza, color, origen nacional, edad, sexo, religión, discapacidad o estado familiar. Las personas que deseen expresar sus preocupaciones pueden comunicarse con unas de las oficinas mencionadas arriba. Para español contactar a Laura Duran ([email protected]

If you have any questions and/or comments on the project development process, you may contact the Project Manager directly by email or phone, submit your comments via the project website, or submit your comments by U.S. mail.

Project inquiries, comments, innovation/technology ideas, or requests to be added to the project mailing list, can be mailed or emailed to:

 

Jazlyn Georges, P.E.

Project Manager
Consultant to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
407-264-3298
[email protected]
P.O. Box 613069
Ocoee, FL 34761-3069

Ronald Kareiva, P.E.

Project Development Engineer
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
407-264-3870
[email protected]
P.O. Box 613069
Ocoee, FL 34761-3069