News

Bartow, Fla. (September 1, 2022) — Two roundabout construction projects will slow Lakeland and Lake Wales area traffic this month with detours. An ongoing Polk County roundabout project at the intersection of North Galloway Road and Sleepy Hill Road in unincorporated Lakeland will keep the intersection closed for two more weeks. Intersection is scheduled to reopen Friday afternoon, September 23. Until then, traffic will continue to be detoured during closure, with westbound traffic on Sleepy Hill Road detouring north or south at Kathleen Road to bypass work zone. Eastbound Sleepy Hill Road traffic approaching intersection will divert northerly along Coogle Road. Northbound traffic along North Galloway Road will detour at Knights Station Road and southbound traffic will be redirected to Kathleen Road or Mt. Tabor Road to avoid closure. Congestion and delays can be expected, especially during peak-hour traffic.

Another roundabout project under construction at the intersection of Old Bartow Lake Wales Road and Rattlesnake Road (County Road 653) in Lake Wales will close the intersection for one month starting Tuesday morning, September 6. Local access will be maintained to the point of closure, but no traffic will be permitted to cross the intersection. Depending on starting point and direction of travel, detour signs will redirect traffic along a combination of roads that can include State Road 60, Rifle Range Road, County Road 540A (Eloise Loop Road and/or Thompson Nursery Road), Old Bartow Road, Mountain Lake Cutoff Road, and U.S. Highway 27. Detouring may be lengthy for some commuters. Motorists are advised to add extra time to trips through this area.

Other active roadway construction projects continue to affect traffic countywide. Motorists should always drive carefully, be alert to crews and equipment, and obey detour signs. For further details, call Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200.