Bartow, Fla.  ̶ The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the State Road (S.R.) 70 Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from Lonesome Island Road to the southern leg of County Road (C.R.) 721 (FPID 449851-1) in Highlands County.

This study will evaluate and document the benefits, costs, and impacts of widening S.R. 70 from the existing two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane, divided roadway. Additional improvements that will be evaluated as part of the proposed project include bridge replacements, wildlife crossings, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, and stormwater management facilities including treatment ponds and floodplain compensation sites. Project benefits include improved traffic safety, improved access along an important east-west connection, and accommodation of the increasing freight activity along the project corridor.

Attend the public hearing: 

In-Person Option: 
Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Town of Lake Placid Government Center

Community Room

1069 U.S. 27 North

Lake Placid, FL 33852

5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Open House

6:00 p.m. Formal presentation and comment period

Virtual Option:
Thursday, February 19, 2026

Register in advance:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2829603521931654495

6:00 p.m. Formal presentation and comment period

Please review the materials on project webpage before attending: https://www.swflroads.com/project/449851-1  
Materials will be posted by  

Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

If you are unable to attend the hearing, comments can also be provided through the project webpage (www.swflroads.com/project/449851-1) or by email (kathern.cothern@dot.state.fl.us) or mail (FDOT District One, Attn: Kathern Cothern, 801 N. Broadway Ave., MS 1-41, Bartow, FL 33830). While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by Monday, March 2, 2026, to be included in the formal hearing record.

All comments are weighted equally. Questions can be answered by calling the FDOT project manager, Kathern Cothern at (863) 519-2331.

A summary of the hearing will be available on the webpage approximately 30 days following the close of the comment period.

Project documents will be available for public viewing from January 27, 2026, to March 2, 2026, at Lake Placid Memorial Library, 205 W. Interlake Blvd., Lake Placid, FL 33852 and at the FDOT Heartland Operations Center, 4722 Kenilworth Blvd., Sebring, FL 33870. They will also be available on the project webpage.

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2287, or email at cynthia.sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the public hearing. 

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.

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The Florida Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.