A one-mile stretch of Lakeland Hills Boulevard between the Lakeland Regional Health ER and Griffin Road is getting an upgrade. During construction – which starts next Monday and is expected to last nearly 22 months – traffic will be reduced to one lane both ways. Here is a look at what you can expect.
What: A “complete streets” reconstruction and resurfacing of Lakeland Hills Boulevard with upgraded lighting, traffic signals, drainage and pedestrian improvements.
Why: The project’s aim is to improve traffic flow and safety on the busy and outmoded roadway that links downtown with the medical corridor, Joker Marchant Stadium and Interstate 4.
Where: Between Parkway Place, which is at the northern edge of Lakeland Regional Medical Center, and a spot just south of Griffin Road.
A detailed schematic that you can view here (it’s a large file and may take a long time to download) shows the planned improvements. Enlarge it to see more detail. Here’s a sample, showing the southern end of the project near Parkview Place:
Who: It’s a Florida Department of Transportation project, costing $27.6 million (Lakeland Hills Boulevard is a state road: State Road 33.) The city of Lakeland is assisting with drainage and sewer upgades.
When: Work is scheduled to start Oct. 7 and is expected to take 650 days.
A new median: Four travel lanes will be divided by a 12-foot raised median in the section between Parkview Place to a spot a little north of Miami Street, which is close to the stadium.
Continuous turn lanes: A center turn lane allowing vehicles to turn in both directions will run between two southbound and two northbound lanes from north of Miami Street to north of Grenada Street.
Pedestrian benefits: Sidewalks on both sides of the road will be widened from 5 feet to 8 feet and ramps will be upgraded. Lighted mid-block crosswalks will be placed south of Channing Road (near the Watson Clinic Center for Rehabilitative Medicine) and north of Swannanoa Street (near the entrance to Joker Marchant Stadium).
Drainage improvements are expected to prevent flooding along the road. Water and sewer systems will be upgraded.
During construction: “Lakeland Hills Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes, one lane in each direction, with limited left turn lanes, primarily at signalized intersections. U-Turns will not be possible for most vehicles, so expect congestion and add time to your schedule to reach your destination,” according to Florida DOT. In addition, access to some side streets will be limited at times.
Alternate routes: Suggested alternatives are North Florida Avenue/U.S. 98 N. to the west and Lake Parker Drive to the east.
Buses: The Citrus Connection Pink Line, which travels through the corridor, will be supplemented starting Oct. 21 by two “microtransit” routes – view maps – similar to the Peach Line that provides neighborhood service near the South Florida Avenue road diet.
Video: The city of Lakeland’s Department of Community and Economic Development produced an explainer video.
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
