Published: March 13, 2024
Bartow, Fla. (March 13, 2024) — Closed since Jan. 24, 2022, the eastbound travel lane of West Pipkin Road from Harden Boulevard to South Florida Avenue will reopen Thursday afternoon, March 14 at 3 p.m. The lane was closed as part of Polk County’s $55.6 million widening of West Pipkin Road from two lanes to four lanes from Medulla Road to Harden Boulevard. Due to right-of-way constraints, a two-way left-turn lane (TWLTL) was added as a third lane from Harden Boulevard to South Florida Avenue to allow traffic from either direction to make safer left turns from the roadway. Widening project is currently scheduled to end in early-to-mid November 2024.
Until all construction finishes, motorists can still expect slower traffic and delays, especially during peak-hour travel times and throughout the upcoming Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo happening from April 9 to 14 at Lakeland Linder International Airport. Commuters are advised to drive carefully and add extra drive time to trips through this area.
Contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200 for further details.