Central Polk Parkway East – Public Hearing Exhibit Room

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.

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.

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 includes accommodating population growth and associated travel demands, improving regional connectivity and overall system linkage, enhancing freight mobility and economic competitiveness, and enhancing safety, emergency evacuation, and response.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.