The purpose of the study is to address traffic safety conditions on SR 70 from CR 721 S to CR 599/128th Avenue. Other goals of the project are to maintain important east-west connectivity within the regional transportation network and accommodate freight activity within this area of Highlands and Okeechobee Counties, Florida. Alternatives to be evaluated include the widening of the existing two-lane undivided roadway with 10-foot travel lanes to a four-lane divided road with 12-foot travel lanes, the addition of paved shoulders and turn lanes, and possible multi-modal improvements (i.e., shared use path) along the corridor.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING – December 16, 2025 (in-person) and December 18, 2025 (virtual)

FDOT invites you to an upcoming public hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to present information about the preferred alternative and all analysis completed to date. It provides the opportunity for the public to offer feedback on the preferred alternative for the official hearing record. Read the Public Involvement section below for all the ways to participate.

FDOT held a public workshop, with a live in person event on June 11, 2024 and a live online event on June 18, 2024. Materials were also available for review and comment below from June 4, 2024. And comments for the workshop were accepted in multiple ways through June 25, 2024. To view what was presented at the workshop, see the Project Documents section below.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING

Here are the ways you can participate in the upcoming hearing. You do not have to attend a live event in order to submit a comment.

November 25, 2025- Technical Documents Posted

Access an online copy of the project technical documents in the Project Documents section, which will also be available from November 25, 2025 – December 31, 2025 at:

Okeechobee Public Library

206 SW 16th Street

Okeechobee, FL 34974

Florida Department of Transportation, District One

Heartlands Operations Center

4722 Kenilworth Boulevard

Sebring, FL 33870

December 9, 2025- Hearing Materials Posted

View all the hearing materials in the Project Documents box below. You will be able to submit comments online if you are unable to attend a live event.

December 16, 2025- Hearing – In-Person

Indian River State College – Dixon Hendry Campus
2229 NW 9th Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 34972                        

5:30 – 6:00 p.m.: Open house

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

OR

December 18, 2025- Hearing – Virtual/Online

https://tinyurl.com/SR70Hearing (Advanced registration required)

5:30 p.m.: The project team will be available for discussion

5:45 p.m.: Overview for how to submit comments for the hearing record

6 p.m.: Formal presentation and comment

You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the hearing from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. (Note: Internet Explorer cannot be used for this event)

Review the materials online prior to the event. Remotely view the in-person presentation and provide spoken comment during the formal hearing.

How to submit comments

You may submit comments in the following ways:

-        Spoken comment during the live event (online or in-person location)

-        Online through the project webpage (use the contact box on the right)

-        Email the project manager (Kathern.Cothern@dot.state.fl.us)

-        By mail: Kathern Cothern

Florida Department of Transportation, District One

P.O. Box 1249, MS 1-41

Bartow, FL 33831-1249

You are able to provide written comments about the project at any time, but comments must be submitted by December 31, 2025 to be included in the record for this hearing. You may also call the project manager (phone number to the right) if you have questions before you submit your comment.

 If you need ADA or Translation Services:
Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator by phone at (863) 519-2287 or by email at cynthia.sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days before the live event you plan to attend.

The Florida Department of Transportation is required to comply with various non-discrimination laws and regulations, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Anyone wishing to express concern about Title VI should contact Cynthia Sykes at the information above.

 Public Notices
This meeting will be advertised according to federal and state statutes in the following places:
On this project webpage
Email to public officials and interested parties
Newsletter to local property owners near the project

What is a PD&E Study?

A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is a phase of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) project development process. A PD&E Study assists the FDOT in determining the location, conceptual design and social, economic and environmental effects of proposed roadway and other project improvements. The process follows procedures set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and federal and state laws and regulations. During the PD&E Study process, feasible alternatives are developed for improvement projects. These ‘Build’ alternatives are evaluated based on environmental, engineering and socioeconomic conditions, safety needs and public input. The need for additional right-of-way for improvements or stormwater will also be evaluated during the PD&E Study phase. The ‘No-Build’ alternative is evaluated throughout the study process. This ‘No-Build’ alternative leaves the existing transportation infrastructure as it is, with only routine maintenance as required for existing facilities. If the study results in a ‘Build’ alternative being selected, the project may proceed to the next phase, which is the design phase. The basic activities of a PD&E Study include:

Data Collection

The first major work effort is the collection of all available data pertaining to the study corridor including existing and planned infrastructure, existing and future land uses, drainage patterns, and environmental resources.

Alternatives Development and Analysis

Once data collection is completed, the Department develops and evaluates various alignment alternatives, including a ‘No-Build’ alternative. The ‘No-Build’ alternative assumes no improvements. The environmental impacts, social impacts and costs of these alternatives are quantified and summarized in an evaluation matrix.

Public Kickoff Meeting or Newsletter

A public kickoff meeting is held, or a newsletter is mailed, to introduce the project to the public and provide an opportunity to view and comment on the project’s need and objectives.

Alternatives Public Meeting

Combining the public input with the needs of the corridor, several improvement alternatives are developed and evaluated along with the “No-Build” alternative during the PD&E Study. This meeting presents the environmental and social impacts as well as estimated costs of the viable ‘Build’ alternatives as compared to the ‘No-Build’ alternative. The public is provided with an opportunity to view and comment on the alternatives under consideration.

Public Hearing

After all public comments are reviewed and the analysis of the alternatives has been refined, a formal public hearing is held to provide a forum for input from property owners and interested parties on the final recommendations. A final decision is not made until after the public hearing.

Final Acceptance

After the comments from the public hearing have been received, considered and addressed, the project reports will be finalized and submitted to the Office of Environmental Management for Location and Design Concept Acceptance. Once acceptance is granted, the PD&E Study phase of the project will be complete. The phases that follow the PD&E Study are design of the project, acquisition of right-of-way, if necessary, and construction of the improvements.