It’s nearly impossible to drive down a street, highway or interstate in Plant City without seeing roadway improvement projects in the works. Heavy equipment, construction vehicles, workers, warning sign and traffic barrels warn of work zones.
With several state, county, and city roads, sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s footing the bill for the construction project. “There are several county-owned/maintained or state-owned/maintained roads within the city, these roads are not part of the city-owned/maintained network,” said Assistant City Manager Jack Holland. “Also, there are several private roads within the city that are not maintained by the City.”
Major state roads inside the city limits include: US92/Baker St.; US92/Reynolds St., SR574/Reynolds St. west of US92/Reynolds St.; SR39/Alexander St. west of Redman Pkwy.; SR39 south of Alexander St.; SR39-A/Buchman Hwy. north of I-4; SR553/N. Park Rd. North of US92 to I-4; SR566/Thonotosassa Rd. North of US92/Baker St. to I-4; North Frontage Road and South Frontage Road.
Major county roads inside the city limits include: Turkey Creek Road; Sydney Road west of Turkey Creek Road; Park Road south of US92; Jim Johnson Road south of Park Road; Charlie Griffin Road; Wilder Road; Sam Allen Road and County Line Road (Polk County owned/maintained).
While the city has some road work being planned for its next fiscal year, here’s a list of state and county road construction and closures that could affect commute times and mobility across the area.
SR 39 (Alexander Street) New Traffic Signal at Mud Lake Road- Project # 254677-38
Construction Cost:$600,000
Estimated Completion Date: Early 2024
The FDOT’s Design-Build Firm, Cone & Graham, Inc., is adding a new traffic signal at SR 39 (Alexander Street) and Mud Lake Road. Other safety and operational improvements include sidewalk installation and addition of pedestrian signals and crosswalks.
SR 39 (James L. Redman Parkway) Repaving from Charlie Griffin Road to Alexander Street- Project # 440733-1-52-01
Construction Cost: $3.3 million
Estimated Completion Date: Early 2024
In addition to repaving this section of SR 39, additional improvements being made include adding a right turn lane from southbound James L. Redman Parkway onto westbound Alexander Street and widening the existing right turn lane from Alexander Street onto southbound James L. Redman Parkway. Watch out for nightly lane closures in this area.
SR 60 Repaving From Turkey Creek Road to SR 39- Project # 446051-52-01
Construction Cost: $5.5 million
Estimated Completion Date: Early 2024
This repaving project, being completed by CW Roberts Contracting, is taking place during daytime and nighttime hours. Work requiring lane closures will occur at night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Drivers are encouraged to exercise caution when traveling through this work zone.
I-4 Repaving from east of McIntosh Road to County Line Road- Project # 445380-1-52-01
Construction Cost: $35.7 million
Estimated Completion Date: Late 2024
This I-4 project is repaving the interstate’s travel lanes, ramps and frontage roads. Construction activities take place during daytime and evening hours. Work requiring lane closures will occur at night from 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
Park Road at Jim Johnson Road- Project #69679023
Construction Cost: $2.047 million
Estimated Completion Date: 2023
Improvements in this area include but are not limited to crescent roadway realignment and signalization of the intersection. Sidewalks will be added or replaced to improve pedestrian traffic.
Turkey Creek Road Improvements from MLK Boulevard to Sydney Road- Project # 69625000
Construction Cost: $14.3 million
Estimated Completion Date: 2023
The most expensive project of those listed, the goal of this project is to mitigate traffic congestion and enhance safety conditions between SR-574 and Sydney Road and to widen and resurface Turkey Creek Road, re-align and install a traffic signal at Airport Road, install new water and sewer lines and install drainage improvements including the construction of three Stormwater Management Facilities (SMF) ponds. A center two-way left-turn lane will improve access and reduce delay along Turkey Creek Road.
Sydney Road Intersection: Turn lanes will be added under the previously installed traffic signal in addition to a free-flow right turn lane and merge land from westbound Sydney Road to northbound Turkey Creek Road.
Airport Road Intersection: This will be shifted 240-feet south of its current configuration and realigned to create a T-intersection with Turkey Creek Road. The new intersection will have mast arm traffic signals, pedestrian signals and crosswalks.
N. Wilder Road from US Hwy. 92 to E. Knights Griffin Road- Project # 69631196)
Construction Cost: $1.9 million
Estimated Completion Date: Early 2024
This resurfacing project along 4.10 miles of N. Wilder Road is part of the Roadway Pavement Preservation Program.
A complete list of current and upcoming projects can be found at fdottampabay.com.