Only in Polk: Update on South Lakeland bridge project
LAKELAND — Ewell Road in South Lakeland at the Poley Creek bridge will remain closed into next month, a Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman said.
“If weather conditions do not impede the contractor, we are looking at mid-September for the bridge to be open,” JoAnn May said.
May said drivers should continue to follow the posted detour using both legs of Lunn Road, West Pipkin Road and Yates Road to detour around Poley Creek. Trucks are directed to detour using South Florida Avenue, Shepherd Road and County Line Road.
And since school started Aug. 13, “expect delays, proceed with caution and schedule extra time to reach your destination,” May said.
Stephanie Peart is a software development project manager. The Poley Creek Bridge/Lunn Road detour is a little more than a mile from her house and impacts her work, so she's eager to see the route re-open. To get info, she asked the question through Only In Polk, a new feature in The Ledger where reporters track down answers to readers' questions.
"What is the update on the Ewell Road/Poley Creek bridge project?" she asked on www.theledger.com/only-in-polk.
Peart said part of her job is to coordinate project-related events, work and meetings for various people, so she likes to be aware of obstacles that may cause delays. She added that there are now major backups on Pipkin Road, near her work location, compounded by school bus traffic.
“When roadways near our work locations are under construction, I like to alert team members and friends so they can avoid delays,” she said. “In general, I'm a proactive person, always planning ahead. If you have an appointment you need to make at that time, you need to add 15 minutes to travel time to plan for the delays. Some days are dreadful.”
Once the bridge reopens, though, the work won't be finished. The project also includes adding traffic signals and turn lanes at both Lunn Road intersections, resurfacing and upgrading signal equipment at Old Highway 37, drainage improvements, and milling and resurfacing in various locations. Expected completion on all of that is early 2019.
The contractor is SEMA Construction. The project cost is $2.54 million.
Kimberly C. Moore can be reached at kmoore@theledger.com or 863-802-7514. Follow her on twitter at KimberlyMooreTheLedger@KMooreTheLedger.
Great journalism starts with great questions, and we know you have some. What have you always wondered about Polk County? We want to know so we can turn them into stories that we know you'll love. See what it's all about at www.theledger.com/only-in-polk.