FDOT RoadWatch Report for May 11 - 17, 2025

This weekly report is prepared by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to inform the public about upcoming road work in Southwest Florida. Below are the work schedule and lane closure locations for major state road projects in the Heartland counties.

Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and drive with caution, courtesy, common sense, and patience as they travel through work zones. Remember, speeding fines are doubled in work zones.

As a reminder, travelers can visit www.FL511.com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state.

If you know before you go, you can plan accordingly and save time and money.

OKEECHOBEE COUNTY

SR 70 at Kissimmee River Bridge and Popash Slough Bridge: Construction Project: Crews will begin bridge repair and rehabilitation work next week on SR 70 at the Kissimmee River Bridge and Popash Slough Bridge.

•

Intermittent lane closures will occur throughout the project, with traffic reduced to one lane as needed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

•

Motorists should be aware of changing traffic patterns, heavy equipment, and workers present in the construction zone.

•

Use caution when traveling through the area and obey posted signage and flagging operations.

Estimated project completion is summer 2025.

HENDRY COUNTY

SR 29 (Bridge Street) Caloosahatchee River Bridge (Labelle) Installation of detection technology: Construction project: Crews will begin the installation of pedestrian/ bicycle detection systems, conduits and electrical components, and connections to the bridge tender building.

• Bridge work is anticipated to take 3-4 weeks to complete.

• Motorists are advised there will be intermittent sidewalk and lane closures.

• Motorists are advised to use caution in the construction zone. Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers that work is underway.

HIGHLANDS COUNTY

US 27 at W College Drive and Bill Sachsenmaier Memorial Drive in Highlands County: Signal Maintenance: Traffic signals at the intersection of US 27, W College Drive, and Bill Sachsenmaier Memorial Drive are currently not operational.

•

Crews will be working to repair the traffic signals and restore normal operation as soon as possible.

•

Temporary traffic control measures may be in place. Motorists should treat the intersection as a four-way stop and follow posted signage.

•

Motorists should use caution in the area and watch for workers and equipment in the work zone.

US 98 (State Road 700) from East of Floral Drive to East of County Road 621: Construction project: Crews have started to mill, resurface, and widen the roadway. The project includes enhancing drainage, installing and upgrading guardrails, and updating signage.

•

Shoulder closures will be in place on both northbound and southbound US 98 for drainage improvements from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Estimated completion is expected in late 2025.

US 98 (State Road 700) from US 27 to Tubbs Road: Utility permit project: Starting the week of April 14, 2025, crews will be installing underground utilities along US 98.

•

Watch for shoulder closures and workers near the roadway. Motorists should use caution in the area and be alert for equipment and signage.

State Road 25 (US 27) from Shoreline Drive to Davis and Gaines Road and State Road 25 (US 27) from North of Tower Street to South of Tower Street: Construction project: Crews are reconstructing rigid pavement on State Road 25 (US 27) from north of Tower Street to south of Tower Street. Additionally, milling and resurfacing work is ongoing on US 27 from Shoreline Drive to Davis and Gaines Road.

•

Traffic has been shifted to the northbound side of the intersection for Phase Two. Motorists should expect daytime and nighttime lane closures on both northbound and southbound lanes throughout the project limits.

•

Inside lane closure in both northbound and southbound lanes between Shoreline Drive and south of Interlake Boulevard for median widening.

•

Median access at Heartland Boulevard will be closed starting May 5, 2025.

•

Temporary driveway closures at Wawa and Mobil will continue through July 2025.

•

Motorists should use caution in the area and watch for workers and equipment in the construction zone.

Anticipated completion is late 2026.

State Road 25 (US 27) from South of Horn Road to South of Shoreline Drive: Construction project: Crews have begun milling, resurfacing, and widening the roadway. The project includes enhancing drainage, installing and upgrading guardrails, and adding concrete pavement markings and signage.

•

Intermittent outside lane closures on southbound US 27 north of SR 70 for road widening from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

•

Intermittent single-lane closures on northbound and southbound US 27 south of SR 70 for milling and resurfacing, operating 24 hours a day.

•

Motorists should expect daytime and nighttime lane closures on the northbound and southbound outside lanes of US 27, as well as construction activity at the intersection of SR 70.

•

Motorists should use caution, follow posted signs, and watch for workers and equipment in the construction zone.

Estimated completion is expected in early 2026.

State Route 66 from S. Orange Blossom Blvd to US 27 (State Road 25): Permit project: Crews will install aerial and underground fiber optic lines for Glades Electric, including 9,290 feet of fiber on existing poles and 4,054 feet in new conduit with 10 handholes.

•

Work takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

•

Traffic will alternate with one lane at a time, and both lanes will be open outside working hours. Motorists should use caution and watch for workers in the work zone.

SR 66 from Payne Road to US 27 (State Road 25): Utility permit project: Crews are installing new utility wires and replacing existing poles along State Road 66. Additional work includes the installation of underground utilities.

•

Watch for shoulder closures and workers near the roadway.

•

Motorists should use caution in the area and be alert for equipment and signage.

Expected completion is May 2025.

SR 70 from Highlands County line to Okeechobee: Utility Maintenance project: Crews are installing new utility wires and replacing existing poles along SR 70. Crews began utility work in March 2025, and operations are expected to continue through the end of the year. Utility crews and equipment will be active throughout the corridor.

•

This project is part of a larger pole replacement effort extending from DeSoto County through Highlands County and into Okeechobee County.

•

Drivers are advised to follow posted signs, anticipate delays, and allow extra travel time or consider alternate routes during this work.

• Motorists should expect intermittent daytime lane closures along SR 70 as crews replace poles and install new wiring. Lane closures will be controlled by flagging operations in place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

•

Motorists should use caution in the area and watch for workers and equipment in the work zone.

Estimated completion end of 2025

HARDEE COUNTY

CR 664 from East of Pool Road to North of Palm Drive: Construction Project: Crews have begun work on CR 664 from East of Pool Road to North Palm Drive to remove and replace Bridge No. 060034 over Little Payne Creek.

•

Expect a full road closure on CR 664 between East of Pool Road and North Palm Drive starting January 6, 2025, lasting approximately 250 days.

•

A detour route is in place to guide motorists safely around the construction zone. Access will be maintained for local traffic only.

Completion is expected in late 2025.

SR 66 from West of Sweetwater Road to Highlands County Line: Construction Project: Crews will begin work on SR 66 from West of Sweetwater Road to

Highlands County Line. Improvements include resurfacing, pavement markings, and safety enhancements.

•

Crews will continue working on final repairs along State Route 66 from Sweetwater Road to the Highlands County Line throughout the project. This work may include intermittent lane and shoulder closures to complete final road repairs.

•

Motorists should use caution in the area and watch for workers and equipment in the construction zone.

Completion is expected in summer 2025.

SR 66 from US 17 (SR 35) to Charlie Creek: Construction project: Crews will mill and resurface SR 66 from US 17 to Charlie Creek. Improvements will include milling and resurfacing. Motorists expect a detour for phase I reconstruction at Merle Langford Road when the westbound lane of SR 66 is closed for construction. Eastbound SR 66 will remain open throughout. Other improvements consist of sidewalk construction, drainage structures, guardrails, curb and gutter, new pavement markings and other safety improvements. Please use caution in the area and watch for workers, traffic signage, detours and equipment throughout the project.

•

The detour began March 10 and will remain in place throughout the duration of the project. Westbound SR 66 was closed from Merle Langford Road to US 17, with traffic detoured via Steve Roberts Special and SR 64. Eastbound SR 66 remained open.

•

Lane closures and flagging operations may occur on westbound and eastbound SR 66 during nighttime hours from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will perform milling and paving operations.

•

Motorists should anticipate longer delays in queues, follow posted signs, and consider alternative routes.

Completion is expected in early 2026.

US 17 (SR 35 NB) from Bay Street to Palmetto Street: Permit project: Lane and sidewalk closures with law enforcement at night while contractor removes and installs poles on the east side of US 17. Please use caution in this area and watch out for workers and equipment during overnight hours.

GLADES COUNTY

US 27 (SR 25) at SR 78 Intersection: Construction project: Crews will be reconstructing the intersection with concrete pavement. Other improvements include milling, resurfacing, drainage, guardrail, signing, and pavement markings. Please use caution in the area and watch for workers, traffic signage, detours and equipment throughout the project.

Beginning in April 15 and continuing through May 23, 2025, SR 78 will be closed between US 27 and Industrial Drive for roadway reconstruction. Both eastbound and westbound turn lanes from US 27 to SR 78 will be closed during this time. Traffic traveling to and from SR 78 should follow posted signage and use Industrial Drive as a detour route. Aside from this detour, the current traffic configuration along US 27 will remain unchanged.

Estimated completion is fall 2025.

SR 78 Lakeport: Maintenance project: Crews will be working along the shoulder, resetting guardrail on westbound SR 78 between Old Lakeport Road and US 27.

•

One westbound lane closure will be in place as needed during this operation.

•

Motorists should use caution in the area and watch for workers, equipment, and signage.

Expected completion is September 2025.

DESOTO COUNTY

SR 70 from Peace River to Southeast Baker Street: Construction project: Crews will reconstruct approximately 3.4 miles of SR 70 within the City of Arcadia, add new drainage facilities, add new and relocate sanitary and watermain utilities, install new traffic signals, reconstruct sidewalks, and add street lighting in various locations. During construction there will be lane closure on SR 70. Temporary pedestrian pathways will be installed for pedestrians during construction while sidewalks are under construction and detours will be in place during construction, while crews work on side roads; please follow signage and use caution in these areas.

•

Eastbound SR 70 traffic is currently using the north lane up to Lee Avenue. Between Lee Avenue and Dade Avenue, traffic shifts to the south lane and continues in the south lane until Roger Avenue, where it shifts back to the north lane, utilizing the preexisting westbound south lane.

•

Westbound SR 70 traffic continues on the north side of the roadway until Volusia Avenue, where it shifts to the south lane. Between Manatee Avenue and Dade Avenue, traffic shifts back to the north lane.

•

A truck detour for traffic traveling northbound on US 17 and turning west onto SR 70 westbound will be in place late April 2025.

Anticipated traffic switch:

•

Westbound SR 70 traffic between Volusia Avenue and Dade Avenue is expected to shift from the south side to the north lane in approximately one month.

•

Westbound SR 70 traffic between Luther Avenue and Volusia Avenue, currently on the north side, is expected to shift to the south lane in six to eight weeks.

Estimated completion is summer 2026.

SR 70 from DCI (Desoto Correctional Institution) to Desoto/Highlands County Line: Utility Maintenance Project: Crews will be installing new utility wires and replacing existing poles.

• Utility work is expected to continue through July 2025. Utility crews and equipment will be active throughout the corridor.

• Motorists should expect intermittent daytime lane closures with one-lane flagging operations in place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Motorists should expect intermittent daytime lane closures along SR 70 as crews replace poles and install new wiring. Lane closures will be controlled by flagging operations.

• Motorists should use caution in the area and watch for workers and equipment in the work zone.

• Motorists should use caution in the area and watch for workers and equipment in the work zone.