Central Polk Parkway East – 451419-1

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (Enterprise) is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for Central Polk Parkway East from US 17/92, south of Power Line Road extension, to the future Poinciana Connector (SR 538).

The study will evaluate alternatives for a new tolled, multi-lane, limited-access highway from US 17/92, south of Power Line Road extension, to the future Poinciana Connector (SR 538). Access points will be evaluated at US 17/92, the future Poinciana Connector (SR 538) and another location to be determined.

The proposed Central Polk Parkway East project will provide a direct link to Interstate 4 and SR 429 (Western Beltway) through the future Poinciana Connector (SR 538).

Polk County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Residential and employment growth within the county and throughout the region has increased the travel demand on the roadway network. The increased travel demand has led to traffic congestion on area roadways such as Interstate 4, US 27 and US 17/92.

The congested conditions on these major regional roadways will continue to degrade if no improvements or alternative travel routes are constructed. In fact, heavy traffic congestion is forecasted for Interstate 4, US 27, US 17/92, Lee Jackson Highway and County Road 532 by the year 2050.

In addition to residential and employment growth, Polk County supports more than 81 million square feet of freight-related land use.  So, the County’s transportation system plays an important role in supporting regional and statewide goods movement.

The need for the Central Polk Parkway East includes:

• 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.

The proposed Central Polk Parkway East project will provide a direct link to Interstate 4 and SR 429 (Western Beltway) through the future Poinciana Connector (SR 538).

The No-Build (No Action) alternative will also be analyzed and compared against the Build alternatives during the PD&E study.

The natural environment is a critical foundation of the region’s economy and quality of life.  Natural features such as lakes, parks, forests, and preserves are important resources to both residents and visitors. The PD&E study team will work collaboratively with our environmental partners to ensure the new highway alternatives avoid or minimize impacts to these important local features. Additionally, potential impacts to the unique social, cultural and physical environments within the study area will also be thoroughly evaluated during the PD&E Study.

The Enterprise is at the forefront of planning for a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced transportation system for the future. The Enterprise continually seeks opportunities to integrate emerging transportation technologies that can help reduce congestion, create mobility choices, minimize environmental impacts, and improve safety. The Enterprise also recognizes that connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies hold unprecedented opportunities for enhancing mobility and increasing safety on our roadways.

If you have an idea for a technology or innovation that you would like to be considered as part of this study, please reach out to one of the contacts in the Stay Connected section below.

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

Henry Pinzon, P.E.

If you choose to provide feedback on this site or in an email, such information is a public record under Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Laws and available for public inspection upon demand. Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status.

If you need special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or require translation services (free of charge), please contact the Project Manager using the contact information listed on this page. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 955-8770 (voice).