FDOT to prioritize, fund Winter Haven traffic project

WINTER HAVEN — A key traffic project is being fast-tracked, according to Winter Haven city officials and engineers.

The Florida Department of Transportation will fund almost all the upgrades intended to improve traffic flow at the intersection of U.S. 17 and Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Total costs are not known at this point, but engineer Dave Carter estimates that the cost of the project will be in the range of $4 million.

“It's a desperately needed improvement,” Carter told The Ledger on Wednesday. “There was excellent cooperation between the city, county and FDOT.”

Notable changes include adding a second northbound right turning lane onto Cypress Gardens Boulevard coming from Bartow and implementing a “triple left,” a third left-hand turning lane heading toward Bartow from Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Carter said that will reduce average wait time at the light from three minutes to two.

“In traffic circles, that's significant,” Carter said. “Usually, wait time reduction is measured in seconds; this is a whole minute.”

The other part of the project includes lengthening the two left-hand turning lanes from First Street onto Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Carter said the only costs for the city will be the construction on First Street and any necessary utility relocations.

“(FDOT) will turnkey this project,” City Manager Mike Herr said at a meeting Tuesday night. “They will complete the design. I think this is a huge win for our residents.”

The corner of U.S. 17 and Cypress Garden Boulevard, Herr said, is already perhaps the busiest intersection in Winter Haven. It's also where the Chain of Lakes Complex is and where the field house will be by the end of next year. Once that comes, traffic is only expected to increase.

During Tuesday's meeting, Mayor Brad Dantzler suggested working with a local architect to come up with a design to make the intersection look aesthetically pleasing since the goal for the field house is to help bring people into the city.

“Maybe we should take the relationship we have with Straughn Trout and prepare an early design,” Dantzler said. “That's the busiest intersection in Winter Haven. We should make it look nice.”

The preliminary design is expected to be complete by the end of next fall and right-of-way acquisitions are set to be complete by the end of 2020. Construction is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2022.

“It really is an efficiency improvement,” Carter said. “I hope residents come to appreciate it.”

Around East Polk

Davenport

The City Commission is set to finalize a $11.3 million budget during Tuesday's City Commission meeting. The commission is also expected to adopt a property tax rate of $7.50 per $1,000 in taxable value. Also on the agenda is a discussion about evaluations for City Manager Kelly Callihan and City Clerk Rachel Castillo. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 1 S. Allapaha Ave.

Eagle Lake

The City Commission is set to finalize a $3.4 million budget for next fiscal year during Tuesday's meeting. The commission will also likely set the property tax rate at $7.65 per $1,000 in taxable value. An appointment to fill the vacant seat left behind by late Mayor J.R. Sullivan could also be discussed. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 675 E. Eagle Ave.

Haines City

The Haines City Commission is scheduled to finalize a $51 million budget during Thursday's meeting. The property tax rate, which sits at $7.59 per $1,000 in taxable value, should also be finalized. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at 620 E. Main St.

Lake Alfred

During Thursday's meeting, Lake Alfred City Commissioners can finalize an $8.6 million budget for next fiscal year and a property tax rate of $7.24 per $1,000 in taxable value. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, 120 E. Pomelo St.

Lake Hamilton

The Town Council approved the first reading of an $8.3 million fiscal budget for 2018-19 at Tuesday's special meeting. The council also approved an $8.43 per $1,000 in taxable value property tax rate.

Mike Ferguson can be reached at Mike.Ferguson@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.