Latest news with #FDOT
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FDOT to add turn lane for busy Chick-fil-A entrance on Capital Circle NE
Tallahassee motorists have long been vexed trying to negotiate traffic jams caused by other drivers backed up on Capital Circle Northeast, waiting to get in to the Chick-fil-a next to Texas Roadhouse. Now, the Florida Department of Transportation is coming to the rescue. Department staff members held a public meeting at Grace Lutheran Church the evening of June 26 to share with residents proposed changes to the always busy roadway. The big news out of that meeting: FDOT is looking to create a designated right turn lane leading to the Chick-fil-a. The lane would create a safer entry point for those wanting to turn and will allow traffic to flow more smoothly, with other drivers unhindered by those looking to grab a bite. The proposed lane is part of the department's "U.S. 319 (Capital Circle) Resurfacing Project," which aims "to resurface existing travel lanes, auxiliary lanes, median crossovers, and paved shoulders." According to the project description, it will also include "resurfacing Killearn Center Boulevard, the State Road 61 Flyover, and Market Street." Bids for construction are expected to go out in early 2026. According to FDOT spokesperson Lindsey Harrell, the total budget for the project is around $8.6 million. She said construction will take around a year and will occur at night "so as not to cause ... a huge disturbance to drivers during the day." The new turn lane was well received by those who showed up at the meeting. For example, Alan Mitchell said his family "goes by there quite often and (we) always comment on how traffic is backed up, trying to get in" to the Chick-fil-A. "... They didn't quite adjust for what was going to be necessary to get people in there without blocking through traffic." Information for the project can be found at You can also subscribe for email updates. For specific questions, Project Manager Amy Heikkinen can be reached at or by phone at 850-867-2537. Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@ and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chick-fil-A traffic fix coming to Capital Circle NE in Tallahassee
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Polk County takes data-driven approach to save more pedestrian, cyclist lives
The Brief According to the FDOT, Polk County ranks 21 out of the state's top 25 deadliest counties for pedestrians. The Best Foot Forward program focuses on educating drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. FDOT is funding the program that has a goal of spreading into the Tampa and Jacksonville markets. BARTOW, Fla. - Polk County is trying to become a safer place for pedestrians and bicyclists. By the numbers According to the Florida Department of Transportation, Polk County ranks 21 out of the state's top 25 deadliest counties for pedestrians. 26 pedestrians and cyclists were killed last year. What we know Bike Walk Central Florida, based in Orlando, is launching its safety program in Polk County — the first county in the Tampa Bay area market to participate. The Best Foot Forward program focuses on educating drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks identified by local and county officials. The program works with law enforcement to issue warnings or citations and holds educational sign-waving events. READ:'We're not California': Florida officials pledge crackdown on doxing threats "What's really exciting about it is the stats or what they refer to as the 'driver yield rate' at pedestrian crossings. It improves significantly after they've given some of the intersections attention," said Ryan Kordek, the Executive Director of Polk TPO. 'When we launched in Orlando and Orange County in 2012, the crosswalks we were taking data at, the average driver yield rate was only 17% of drivers yielding to pedestrians," said Vince Dyer, Manager of the Best Foot Forward Program. "We've been steadily recording improvement since then. Today it's near 50% of drivers yielding to pedestrians in the same metro area." Dyer says the number of deaths and serious injuries have also gone down. The program has already begun studying crosswalks near schools and parks in Lakeland, Winter Haven and Bartow. Each crosswalk is evaluated for at least a year. "We recommend low-cost solutions, things like better striping and signage, the tubular markers, the delineators, things like that," said Dyer. "We can track those and show they have a positive effect." What's next FDOT is funding the program that has a goal of spreading into the Tampa and Jacksonville markets. The Source This story was written with information gathered by FOX 13's Carla Bayron. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Endangered plant that only grows in Polk County threatened by proposed highway
The Brief According to plant advocates, the Blushing Scrub Balm is at risk of disappearing. The Florida Department of Transportation is proposing to build a tolled highway from State Road 60 to US 17-92. There are two alternative corridors which both pass close to where the Blushing Scrub Balm grows. HAINES CITY, Fla. - There's an extremely rare plant that, in all of Florida, only grows in Polk County, but it's being threatened by a proposed highway. The Blushing Scrub Balm grows in the hundreds in the Lake Marion Creek Wildlife Management Area. "It is one of a kind," said Gene Kelly, the President of the Florida Native Plant Society. "It is the only place that we know it occurs naturally." And it's at risk of disappearing forever. The Florida Department of Transportation is proposing to build a tolled highway from State Road 60 to US 17-92 around Davenport to alleviate future traffic congestion. There are two alternative corridors, both of which Kelly says pass close to where the Blushing Scrub Balm grows, which happens to depend on prescribed burns. What they're saying "The problem then, is if a high-speed highway is constructed immediately adjacent to this property, which is where those two alternate routes being considered would go, it's really going to tie the hands of the land managing agency, that being Florida Fish and Wildlife Management Conservation Commission, to continue burning that site to maintain the habitat," said Kelly. Instead, Kelly recommends a no-build alternative or moving the highway as far west as possible. And for those asking to just move the plant, Kelly says it's extremely difficult to do because they have exact habitat requirements. He says his group will continue to advocate for protecting the Blushing Scrub Balm. "We don't know what the impact of the loss of the Blushing Scrub may have on other species," said Kelly. The other side The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will present their proposed corridor at the end of the year. READ: Sheriff Grady Judd takes kids fishing as part of annual community outreach event The next phase of the project will be 'PD & E', which stands for planning, design and environmental impact assessment. A spokesperson for the agency says they'll work with rare plant experts and local ecologists throughout the project to avoid and mitigate impacts on sensitive species. FDOT's full statement: As the project enters the Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study phase, environmental fieldwork will begin to identify native and listed plant habitats. Further surveys and coordination with rare plant experts and local ecologists will continue through the Design and throughout future phases of the project to avoid and mitigate impacts on sensitive species. A public meeting is anticipated to be held at the end of 2025 to present the proposed corridor. Throughout this process, the Enterprise remains committed to avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating impacts to the natural, social, cultural, and physical environments. For more information on this project, and to stay informed of any updates, please visit: CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Carla Bayron. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida lawmakers fund another $1.7 billion in I-4 construction projects
Florida is taking additional steps to speed up congestion relief along the I-4 tourist corridor. Last week lawmakers voted to expedite the construction of two express lanes on I-4's busiest stretch in Osceola and Polk Counties and a separate road project that will better connect I-4 to the rest of Osceola County's transportation network. The joint legislative budget commission approved $1.7 billion for the three road projects. 'This week's LBC vote allows funds to move into the current Fiscal Year to ensure FDOT is able to move as swiftly as possible with their delivery,' said Molly Best, a spokesperson for the Governor's office, in an email. The road projects include two express lanes in each direction on a 2.6-mile stretch from east of World Drive to east of U.S. 192 and a 3.1-mile stretch from east of County Road 532 to west of World Drive. The third project is construction of a new 3.5-mile road called the Poinciana Connector. That road will link State Road 429 to the southern portion of Osceola Polk Line Road and connect to I-4. The Central Florida Expressway Authority is planning another road project to connect to the Poinciana Connector, eventually creating a southern highway loop that will ease access throughout Osceola County to I-4. That will involve extending Poinciana Parkway and connecting it to County Road 532. Construction on improvements to surrounding county roads to facilitate this project are scheduled to begin in early 2026, said CFX spokesperson Brian Hutchings in an email. 'This effort aims to increase capacity and enhance connectivity between the future extension of Poinciana Parkway and I-4,' Hutchings said. 'Through close coordination with regional partners, we are delivering a comprehensive transportation solution designed to improve mobility, enhance regional connectivity, and provide lasting traffic relief for our growing community.' Poinciana, an unincorporated part of Osceola County that borders Polk County, has ballooned in population in recent years, and so has traffic. 'We appreciate the continued support of the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis in delivering landmark investments through the Florida Department of Transportation's Moving Florida Forward initiative, bringing real congestion relief to some of Osceola County's most vital transportation corridors,' Osceola County spokesperson Tyler Winik said in an email. The Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative aims to bring congestion relief across the state through a series of projects. Roughly $2.5 billion of the initiative will overhaul I-4 and it's moving quickly. Various improvements along a 14-mile stretch of I-4, including these three projects, were already slated to be completed in ten years —faster than the original estimate of 25 years — and with this $1.7 billion boost key portions should be delivered in less time. The funding comes on the heels of April's announcement that two new lanes on a six-mile stretch of I-4 were added eight months ahead of schedule. FDOT did not respond to request for comment on the latest development.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
U.S. 231 Road Improvement Project to begin in Bay County
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Florida Department of Transportation will begin an intersection improvement project later this summer at U.S. 231 at Pipeline Road in Bay County. According to a news release, the project will cost $2.6 million and will cause lane closures and traffic shifts. Lane closures will not occur during peak travel times of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; until Labor Day, lane closures will be limited to Sunday through Thursday between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Bay County OKs FDOT grant for road resurfacing and other improvements The project includes the installation of new mast arm traffic signals, as well as new signing and pavement markings. Pipeline Road will be widened to include new left turn lanes for accessing U.S. 231, and crews will be removing the median and realigning the intersection; they will also be milling and resurfacing the pavement. Enhancements will be made to stormwater management to include the installation of concrete curbs and gutters as well as a closed pipe drainage system. Completion of the construction is scheduled for mid-2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
