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Project Details
About
This project is located within the City of Lakeland and in unincorporated Polk County, Florida. Most of the area surrounding the project consists of residential neighborhoods, with industrial uses clustered at the I-4/SR 33 interchange. Teneroc Fish Management Area is south of the project. This section of SR 33 provides a key connection between Lakeland (from the west) to the Florida Polytechnic University campus (to the east).
Segment One (FPID: 430185-4)
Segment One is the section of SR 33 from Old Combee Road to south of University Boulevard. The typical section for Segment One is a four-lane divided urban roadway. This urban typical section has two 11-foot travel lanes in each direction which are separated by a 22-foot median. Curb and gutter will be located along the median and outside lanes. Ditches along both sides of the roadway provide for collection and treatment of stormwater runoff. A 10-foot sidewalk is along the west side of the road and a 10-foot-wide shared use path is along the east side. The existing two-lane SR 33 roadway will be reconstructed.
Segment Two (FPID: 430185-3)
Segment Two is the section of SR 33 from south of University Boulevard to north of Tomkow Road. In this segment, I-4 crosses over SR 33 with two parallel bridges. The existing overhead bridge clearance of 14 feet nine inches does not meet the minimum required clearance of 16 feet six inches. In addition, the area under the bridges is not wide enough for the four-lane widening of SR 33. A full reconstruction of the interchange is required. As in Segment One, the existing two-lane SR 33 roadway will be reconstructed.
SR 33 Wildlife Crossing (FPID: 430185-7)
The SR 33 wildlife underpass will replace an existing box culvert with a new bridge crossing designed to convey drainage and provide paths for wildlife to pass under SR 33. The crossing will be located on SR 33 approximately 1.8 miles north the I-4/SR 33 interchange.
I-4 Wildlife Crossing (FPID: 201214-8)
The I-4 wildlife crossing will be located approximately 1.6 miles east of the I-4/SR 33 interchange with the intended purpose of connecting to the Tenoroc Management Area to the south. The wildlife crossing will consist of a 44-foot-wide bridge crossing over I-4.
Public Involvement
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Contact Information
RoadWatch
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I-4 at S.R. 33 (Exit 38) in Lakeland: Construction project: Project improvements include reconstructing the existing interchange, reconstructing I-4 bridges over S.R. 33, widening and resurfacing S.R. 33, constructing wildlife crossings over I-4 and under S.R. 33, and adding noise walls along S.R. 33. This week crews will work on clearing vegetation, installing barrier walls, paving operations for on-off ramps, pavement markings, drainage operations, and utility work.
- Beginning Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. to Friday October 23, 2026, at 6 a.m., crews will close and detour northbound and southbound S.R. 33 for bridge demolition. Motorists are advised to follow all posted detour routes and proceed through the area with caution.
- The S.R. 659 (North Combee Road) detour began on Monday, August 10, 2026. The area will be detoured for approximately 60 days; motorists should follow posted detour routes utilizing connections to S.R. 33 (Lakeland Hills Boulevard) and surrounding roadways. This closure is in place to expedite the completion of the project earlier than currently anticipated. Motorists should expect single lane closures on I-4 during nighttime/overnight hours from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
- Motorists should expect double lane closures on I-4 during nighttime/overnight hours from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
- Motorists should expect lane closures, flagging operations, and periodic overnight detours on S.R. 33 during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
- Detours at the I-4/S.R. 33 interchange may occur Monday through Friday from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. for bridge construction activities. Northbound traffic will be detoured via I-4 eastbound and S.R. 559, while southbound traffic will be detoured via Tomkow Road.
- Motorists should expect periodic nighttime closures of the I-4 eastbound and westbound off-ramps at Exit 38 (S.R. 33/Commonwealth Avenue) on an as-needed basis, Sunday through Thursday nights from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., through the duration of the construction. When closures are in place, motorists will be directed to continue to Exit 33 and follow posted detour signage to access S.R. 33.
- Motorists should expect lane shifts on I-4 and S.R. 33 through the duration of the construction. Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting I-4 through the duration of the construction.
Variable message signs will be in place to alert drivers that work is underway. Estimated completion is summer 2029.
