Transportation
West Pipkin Road Residents Seek Traffic Relief
Constant traffic on two-lane West Pipkin Road between Florida Avenue and Harden Boulevard is already a burden, those who live there say; they are speaking with county commissioners today to seek relief in the face of new housing developments and large employers that will add more trips to the busy road.
New York Avenue Bicycle Path Nearing Completion
Downtown Lakeland’s New York Avenue bicycle path is nearing completion. A few improvements are being made prior to the final inspection, which is expected to take place next month, Lakeland Public Works Director Heath Frederick said.
The three-block path between Lime and Main Streets is formally called a “bicycle track,” but it’s more of a connector that will take cyclists between a future trail along the west side of Lake Hunter and the planned over-the-railroad pedestrian bridge that will connect New York Avenue with Lake Wire. More
DOT Plans New Bridge to Accommodate Express Rail
A new bridge planned over I-4 just west of Kathleen Road would accommodate the express rail service proposed to run in the interstate median, Tampa Bay Business Journal reports. Like newer bridges over I-4, the updated CSX railroad bridge would accommodate both trains in the median and future expansion of I-4 traffic lanes. Virgin Trains USA, formerly called Brightline, is preparing a Tampa-Orlando express route that it says will eventually include a stop in Polk County.
Road Diet Test Includes Massive Data Collection
During a one-year test of a “road diet” reducing Florida Avenue in Dixieland from five lanes to three, an unprecedented collection of data will supplement community feedback in determining how the project affects safety, travel time, economic impact and effects on nearby roads. Eleven sensors along the corridor are already collecting speed and travel-time data, and traffic counters will be installed at each intersection.
Bus Schedule Proposal Extends Morning, Evening Hours
The Morning Paper got an advance look at a proposed new Citrus Connection route and scheduling plan to be released today that will make bus service available earlier in the morning and later in the evening on weekdays. The goal is to accommodate more riders going to and from work, but mid-day riders might find buses run less frequently.
Roundabout Proposed for Intersection North of Lake Beulah
An awkward five-way intersection at the north end of Lake Beulah would become a roundabout with four access points, under a plan being floated by city officials. Members of the public will have a chance to learn more and comment on the proposal at two public meetings scheduled for later this month. More
Driverless Car Test Track Moving Into Next Phase
With construction of its Florida Poly-area oval track to test autonomous vehicles nearly complete, Florida Turnpike Enterprise is looking at next steps: hire a contractor to operate SunTrax by summer, start building the infield in August, and attract major companies to test driverless vehicles there by 2021.
Downtown Rail Work: The End is Near
Railroad work is nearing completion downtown. In this noontime video, CSX workers are applying asphalt after placing rubber bumpers on rails on the crossings at Kentucky and Massachusetts Avenues. Drivers should be able to cross the tracks by Thursday morning, city spokesman Kevin Cook said. Work at Tennessee Avenue will take a bit longer.
CSX Delays, Damaged Building Add Frustration
As rail construction blocks key downtown intersections longer than expected, the owner of LkldTV said stray construction debris damaged his building.
