Lakeland Ledger: Florida's Five-Year Plan Sets Work On Bridges, Trails, Roads

Highways will be widened, bridges will be improved and new recreational trails are planned in the state's five-year transportation plan presented to the Transportation Planning Organization in Bartow on Thursday. The plan confirms a previous announcement that the funding to widen another section of U.S. 27 north of Interstate 4 will be funded sooner than expected.

The $16.2 million project, which will begin by next summer, will run from Ritchie Brothers Road to Berry Road.

The plan also includes $7 million to replace the State Road 37 bridge over the North Prong of the Alafia River in Mulberry.

Polk County Commissioner Melony Bell asked about plans for replacing the U.S. 98 bridge across the Peace River in Fort Meade. She said it's hard for a car to cross the bridge when a semi is crossing it.

DOT planner Jennifer Stults said the problem is that even though the bridge is functionally obsolete, it is structurally sound, and it's a matter of priorities.

As a result, there are no plans to replace the bridge within the next five years.

For the full article, visit the Lakeland Ledger.