The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is conducting a Feasibility Study to evaluate the feasibility of developing a new corridor between SR 33 (Lakeland Hills Boulevard) and Walt Williams Road. This potential new connection will serve residential areas north of Interstate 4 (I-4). Our analysis is focused between the Socrum Loop Road interchange (exit 33) to the west and the SR 33 interchange (exit 38) to the east in the City of Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.

This new corridor would enhance roadway and multimodal connectivity for the community by providing a new corridor that will connect State Road 33 to Walt Williams Road within the City of Lakeland. The goal of this Feasibility Study is to identify environmental and engineering constraints within the study area and develop a cost-effective preliminary corridor to be evaluated in a future Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study.  

FDOT will coordinate with key stakeholders and engage the public in order to facilitate community vision and encourage effective communication with the public. The goals for the Feasibility Study are to evaluate potential alternative corridors to:

Primary Needs

• Provide an alternative to constrained corridors

Secondary Needs

• Accommodate Increasing Traffic
• Improve Safety

The “No Build” alternative is a viable alternative solution frequently used in Project Development and Environment (PD&E) studies that assumes the retainment of existing conditions. This allows for the comparison between existing conditions and implementing the proposed improvements to those incurred by continuing to use the existing facility. However, the “No-Build” alternative will be maintained to provide an effective baseline condition by which other project alternatives will be compared throughout the project. The “No-Build” alternative will be maintained throughout the life of the study.

PUBLIC WORKSHOP

FDOT held a public workshop, with a live in person event on February 20, 2024 and a live online event on February 22, 2024. Materials were also available for review and comment below from February 13, 2024. And comments for the workshop were accepted in multiple ways through March 4, 2024. To view what was presented at the workshop, see the Project Documents section below.

FINAL RECOMMENDATION

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has concluded the Tradeport Boulevard Feasibility Study from State Road 33 (SR 33) to Walt Williams Road in Polk County and is making its recommendation for future consideration. The goal of this Feasibility Study was to identify environmental and engineering constraints within the study area and develop a cost-effective preliminary corridor to be evaluated in a future Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. This potential new connection will serve residential areas north of Interstate 4 (I-4), enhance roadway and multimodal connectivity for the community, improve safety, and accommodate increasing traffic. The study focused between the Socrum Loop Road interchange (exit 33) to the west and the SR 33 interchange (exit 38) to the east in the City of Lakeland.  

Based on environmental and engineering analysis, as well as public input, FDOT recommends Corridor 2, which includes the area between Tradeport Boulevard, crossing I-4 and tying back into Walt Williams Road south of the elementary school), move forward into the next phase as a two-lane roadway, with no median, and a shared-use path.

The City of Lakeland will consider FDOT’s recommendation for Tradeport Boulevard and advance the study to the next phase as funding becomes available.