News & Updates

News

Construction Progress on I‑4 Wildlife Overpass

Construction on a wildlife overpass continues to advance along Interstate 4 (I-4) in Polk County, Florida, marking a major step in reconnecting critical habitat on…

Ribbon Cutting for Holloway Family Trail

Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Executive Director Ryan Kordek joined Polk County officials and project partners Tuesday, Feb. 24, for a ribbon‑cutting ceremony celebrating the…

Polk TPO Board Adopts Envision 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan

On Dec. 9, the Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board formally adopted the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), known as Envision 2050. This plan…

Progress Update on Central Polk Parkway

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise presented the status of the Central Polk Parkway project at the Dec. 9 Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) board meeting. In partnership with…

Approved Amendments to the FY 2025/26 – 2029/30 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

At its Dec. 9 meeting, the Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board approved amendments to the FY 2025/26 – 2029/30 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Key…

Southport Connector Expressway – Connecting Poinciana

At the April 10 TPO Board meeting, representatives from the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) presented on the Southport Connector Expressway – Project Development and…

FDOT I-4 Construction Projects in Polk County

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently announced the construction schedule for two projects along Interstate 4. To provide immediate relief from traffic congestion,…

SunRail Extension Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for a potential expansion of the SunRail commuter rail service…

Central Polk Parkway East Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE)

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) is conducting an Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) for a new north-south facility in eastern Polk County. The ACE, a planning-level study,…

Transportation Safety Presentations by Polk Sheriff Grady Judd and Superintendent Fredrick Heid

Transportation Safety Presentation at Dec. 19 TPO Board Meeting Published: December 20, 2024 Bartow, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2024) – The TPO Board welcomed special guests…

Polk TPO Board Expands to 23 voting members

Published: December 19, 2024 Bartow, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2024) – The Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board has adopted an amendment to the Membership Apportionment…

Mobility Week: Oct. 25 to Nov. 2

Published: Oct. 15, 2024 Mobility Week, celebrated from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2, is an annual statewide event organized by the Florida Department of…

The Hidden Cost of a Crash in Polk County

When a crash happens on a Polk County road, most people only see a glimpse of it. The flashing lights, scattered debris and slowed traffic.…

Why High Speeds Are So Dangerous on Polk County Roads

Speeding may seem harmless on a long rural road, but even small increases in speed can turn mistakes into life-changing crashes. Higher speeds make collisions…

Open Roads, Hidden Risks: What Every Polk County Driver Should Know About Rural Road Safety

When you think about dangerous roads, you probably picture a busy city intersection or a packed highway during rush hour. You may not think about…

The Story of Polk County’s Roads: How History Shapes Today’s Safety Challenges

If you’ve ever driven a Polk County road that curves for no obvious reason, dead-ends near a lake or narrows without warning, there’s probably a…

Put It Down: Why Distracted Driving Is a Road Safety Priority in Polk County, Florida

Every trip on Polk County roads comes with a shared responsibility to ensure you and other drivers arrive safely at your destinations. Understanding why distracted…

City of Lakeland Recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community

The City of Lakeland was recognized as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) by the League of American Bicyclists, a designation renewed this month in…

How Does Moving Over Keep Polk County First Responders Safe?

When you see flashing lights and hear the sirens while in a line of traffic, the time it takes you to respond determines how quickly…

October is Pedestrian Safety Month: Let’s Walk Safely Together in Polk County!

As the crisp Florida fall arrives, October brings more than just cooler weather and pumpkin spice lattes—it marks Pedestrian Safety Month! Across the nation and…

Citrus Connection: Four Decades of Transit Innovation in Polk County

Citrus Connection stands as the backbone of public transportation in Polk County, consistently working to unite communities, support employment, improve quality of life and respond…

Safety by Design: How Road Markings and Signs Keep Polk County Safe

Road markings and signs might seem unimportant in our daily routines, but they are carefully planned and crafted to save lives. From the thickness of…

Essential Summer Travel Safety Tips for Florida Roads

Top Tips for a Safe and Fun Summer Vacation As summer kicks into high gear, so does the travel season. June marks Safe Summer Travel…

How a Road Development Project is Planned and Executed in Polk County

When you drive along a newly paved road or see traffic improvements in your community, it is easy to forget the level of planning…