FDOT Traffic Advisory: SR540 Around-the-Clock Lane Closures Scheduled Week of Sunday April 16
BARTOW, Fla.: Work in the median of SR 540 (Cypress Gardens Boulevard), between US 17 and 1st Street North in Winter Haven, will require around the clock single lane closures in each direction for approximately one week, starting at 8 p.m., Sunday night, April 16, and lasting through 5 a.m., Friday morning, April 21.
In the early morning hours on Monday crews will close the inside lanes (closest to the median), repaint the striping and adjust the signal heads to direct traffic through the reduced number of lanes. The lane closures are necessary to safely construct the permanent traffic separator between US 17 and 2nd Street Southwest.
“We tried to avoid closing any lanes on Cypress Gardens Boulevard during the day, but readjusting the signal heads and pavement striping to align with traffic before and after each shift will not allow enough time to complete the actual work each night,” said Kevin Morrisey, FDOT Bartow Operations Construction Engineer. “Keeping the lanes closed around the clock is much safer for the traveling public as well as workers and shortens the time to complete the work by half or more,” added Morrisey.
A similar process may have to be repeated when crews install a drainage structure at the northeast corner of US 17 and Cypress Gardens Boulevard, currently planned for a few weeks from now. At that time only westbound lanes will be affected. Watch for portable message signs alerting motorists to the upcoming closures.
Motorists can expect heavy traffic and delays in the area and may want to seek alternate routes during the closures. Use caution, be prepared to merge and watch for law enforcement officers helping direct traffic.
The work next week is estimated to take the entire week, but lanes will be reopened as soon as possible.
This work is part of an ongoing project to resurface US 17, SR 540 and 1st Street, add turn lanes, lengthen existing turn lanes, replace the temporary traffic separators with a permanent concrete traffic separator on SR 540, improve crosswalk striping and add pedestrian countdown signals, upgrade signal equipment and replace streetlights with LED lights. Expected project completion is early 2024. For more information about the project visit www.swflroads.com/project/444050-1.