EMERGENCY INFORMATION FDOT Emergency Travel Alert: For information on the current situation, please visit the following page - Alerts.

Project Details
Phase: Construction
Limits: Old Combee Road to north of Tomkow Rd
Length: 4.3 miles
City:
County:
Road:
Start of Current Phase: Early 2025
Est. Completion of Current Phase: Late 2028
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

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIGN UP FOR CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

click here to sign up for email alerts

View Factsheet
Contact Information
Construction Project Manager
David Jones
863-519-2345
david.jones@dot.state.fl.us
Communications Team
Brian Bollas
813-262-8549
brian.bollas@dot.state.fl.us
For Media Inquiries Only
fdot-d1comm@dot.state.fl.us
RoadWatch
  • I-4 at SR 33 (Exit 38): Construction project: Project improvements include reconstructing the existing interchange, reconstruct I-4 bridges over SR 33, widen and resurface SR 33, wildlife crossings over I-4 and under SR 33, and noise walls on SR 33. This week, crews will work on clearing vegetation, installation of barrier wall, and install temporary asphalt.

    • On Monday, July 21, 2025, the Exit 38 eastbound off-ramp will be closed, and a detour will be in place from 9:30 pm to 6:00 am on July 21 and July 22, weather permitting, and tentative alternate dates for July 23 and July 24. The detour will begin at Exit 33 at I-4 following northeast on SR 33 Lakeland Hills Blvd, returning to Exit 38.
    • Motorists should expect single lane closures on I-4 during nighttime/overnight hours from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. bound 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 on SR 33 during nighttime/overnight hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. through the duration of the construction.
    • Motorists should expect lane shifts on I-4 and SR 33 through the duration of the construction.
    • Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting the interstate 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.

     

     

Project Documents
Project Images
State Road 33 N Combee Road Intersection
State Road 33 at Interstate 4
SR 33