Transportation
Rail News Revises Discussion of Lakeland Station Location
News that Lakeland is under consideration for a future station of a planned Orlando-Tampa rail line has rekindled discussions of where that station might be located. Brightline trains would run through Polk County in the median of Interstate 4.
Lakeland Still ‘Under Consideration’ for Rail Stop
Plans for Brightline rail service between Orlando and Tampa were revealed Wednesday, and organizers say they’re considering a future stop in Lakeland, where the trains are expected to run in the I-4 median. A recent poll of Tampa Bay Business Journal readers showed enthusiasm for a Lakeland stop,
Upcoming Signs Seek to Clarify Downtown Parking
There’s a misconception about downtown parking that city officials want to clear up, and they’re creating new signs with that in mind. The two hours of free parking allowed on downtown streets isn’t supposed to be banked for use throughout the day, the city’s traffic/parking chief says: “It’s up to two hours for the first visit — unused time doesn’t flow over to a second visit.”
SURVEY: Give your feedback on the latest proposed sign wording.
Lake Morton Residents to Drivers: Put the Phone Down
Nearby residents have a message for people driving around Lake Morton: Put down your phone and watch out for the lake’s many human and winged pedestrians. The neighborhood association meets with city officials tonight at 7 at 1001 Success Ave. to discuss solutions to the distracted driving that has injured a runner and killed five swans in recent weeks. Among the possible solutions are five proposed by the city that are the subject of an online survey.
Give Your Opinions on Lake Morton Traffic Calming
The city of Lakeland has put together a survey to get feedback on several proposals aimed at reducing the accidents that have injured people and birds on Lake Morton in recent weeks.
The potential “traffic calming” solutions are aimed at refocusing driver attention. They include “bulb out” pedestrian landings, landscaped medians, painting lines to mark parking spots, raised crosswalks and reflective flashing beacons. Learn more about the options here and here.
Take the survey here. It is open through Oct. 8.
Florida Poly Delves Into Driverless Cars
A new research center at Florida Poly University, the Advanced Mobility Institute, will focus on safety of autonomous vehicles. The university is working alongside Suntrax, the Florida Turnpike Enterprise’s test track being built nearby.
Read It in the Morning Paper, Transportation Edition
NW LAKELAND: The future of transportation in northwest Lakeland — cars, buses, bikes, walking — will be the focus of a public Florida DOT workshop Aug. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Coleman Bush Building, 1104 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
LIME STREET: Lime Street south of the RP Funding Center will be closed to most traffic for two weeks starting Monday as crews upgrade pedestrian crossings and sewer lines. The work is associated with hotel construction that will shift the parking that’s currently closest to the Youkey Theatre to the lots south of Lime | Detour map