State Road (S.R.) 70 to S.R. 66 PD&E Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting – In-person meetings were held on January 15, 2026, January 22, 2026, and January 29, 2026. A self-guided virtual meeting room was available from January 15 to February 12, 2026. The virtual meeting room is now officially closed. Materials presented at both the in-person and virtual meetings were the same. 

To view what was presented, see the Published Documents section below.

Read the Public Involvement section below for more information.  

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study for proposed improvements west of U.S. 27 and East of U.S. 17 between State Road (S.R.) 70 and S.R. 66 in Hardee, DeSoto, and Highlands Counties. Building on the findings of the Highlands County Feasibility Study, the PD&E will assess a potential new alignment to better accommodate the evolving nature of U.S. 27 and address key needs such as network resilience, freight movement, and safe mobility. The PD&E process, which includes the option of a No Build alternative, follows the procedures outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, along with federal and state laws and regulations. 
 

Public Involvement

Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting

FDOT held Corridor Alternatives Public Meetings for a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study, FPID 455782-1, within the study area bounded by S.R. 70, S.R. 66, U.S. 27, and U.S. 17 in DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands Counties. The meetings were offered in two formats: in-person and through a self-guided virtual meeting room. In-person meetings took place on three different dates: January 15, 2026, in DeSoto County at the Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 NE Roan St., Arcadia, FL 34266; January 22, 2026, in Hardee County at the Hardee County Agri-Civic Center, 515 Civic Center Drive Wauchula, FL 33873; and January 29, 2026, in Highlands County at the Town of Lake Placid Government Center, Community Room, 1069 U.S. 27 North, Lake Placid, FL 33852. 

A self-guided virtual meeting room was available from January 15 to February 12, 2026. Virtual Meeting Room is now officially closed.

 How to submit comments 

You may submit comments in the following ways:  

•     Online through the project website
•     Email the Project Representative (david.long@dot.state.fl.us)  
•     By mail: 801 N. Broadway Ave., MS 1-41, Bartow, FL 33830 

You can submit written comments about the project at any time, but only comments received by Thursday, February 12, 2026, will be included in the January 2026 official meeting record report.  

You may also call David Long, Project Representative at (813) 334-7056, 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 meeting 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.   

2024 Visioning Workshop 

The Florida Department of Transportation hosted a public visioning workshop to engage the community and gather input on their vision for SR 70 to SR 66. Participants could join either in person or online. The in-person visioning workshop was held on November 19, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 NE Roan St., Arcadia, FL 34266. The virtual, self-guided interactive meeting room was available from November 20 to December 4, 2024. The 2024 Visioning Workshop documents have been archived for reference and research purposes.