414506-5 SR 70 CR 29 to Lonesome Island Road
Project Details
Phase: | Design |
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Limits: | From CR 29 to Lonesome Island Road |
Length: | 4.4 miles |
City: | |
County: | |
Road: | |
Design Cost: | $TBD |
Start of Current Phase: | Mid 2025 |
Est. Completion of Current Phase: | Early 2026 |
Estimated Costs
ROW Cost: | $TBD |
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About
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, invites you to a Design Public Meeting to inform you of design change improvements on SR 70 from County Road (CR) 29 to Lonesome Island Road, in Highlands County. A Project Development & Environment Study was completed in June 2025 and found this segment of SR 70 experiences roadway deficiencies, operational conditions issues, safety concerns, does not support economic development in the region, and does not provide system linkage to the area wide transportation network. An alternative that widens SR 70 to 4-lanes was chosen as the Preferred Alternative to address these items. The project has now moved forward to the next phase, final design. Design changes that will be presented at this meeting include alterations to access management and stormwater ponds.
Public Involvement
The purpose of this meeting is to inform the public of design changes and provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide comments. There will be an in-person meeting on August 21, 2025, and a self-guided virtual meeting room available from August 21 – September 5, 2025. You can choose the meeting format that is most convenient for you. Materials displayed for the in-person and virtual meeting room will be the same. The same material will also be available on the project website.
In-Person Meeting
Thursday, August 21, 2025
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Town of Lake Placid Government Center, Community Room, 1069 US 27 North, Lake Placid, FL 33852
Virtual Meeting Room (Link TBD)
Available from August 21 to September 5, 2025
Access to the self-guided virtual meeting room will be on the project website.
A virtual meeting room is an online space that allows participants who are unable to attend the in-person meeting to provide their feedback and view project material at their leisure.
FAQs
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 Newsletter
A public kickoff 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.
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.
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On June 30, 2025, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), pursuant to 23 U.S.C. § 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT, granted Location and Design Concept Acceptance for the SR 70 PD&E Study from CR 29 to Lonesome Island Road. The proposed improvements consist of the widening of SR 70 from a two-lane undivided facility to a four-lane divided roadway. These improvements will include two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, 10-foot (5-foot paved) outside shoulders, a 10-foot (5-foot paved) eastbound inside shoulder, an 8-foot (4-foot paved) westbound inside shoulder, a 40-foot median and a 12-foot shared use path along the south side of the proposed roadway.
This project is now in the DESIGN phase of development. For more information or to obtain a copy of archived PD&E Study documents, please contact FDOT Project Manager Kathern Cothern at 863-519-2331, Corridors Program Office—District One, 801 N. Broadway Avenue, MS 1-41, Bartow, Florida 33830.
Contact Information
PD&E Project Manager |
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Kathern (Kathy) Cothern
(863) 519-2331
kathern.cothern@dot.state.fl.us
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For Media Inquiries Only |
fdot-d1comm@dot.state.fl.us
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