Bartow, Fla. — A Tampa Electric Company (TECO) project to remove and replace 17 power transmission poles will close Lake Mattie Road from County Road 559 to Adams Barn Road in Auburndale for one month starting Monday, January 8. Rolling closures will be intermittent as the work progresses from west to east at three locations along the south side of Lake Mattie Road. Poles will be set first near Flint Road before advancing one-half mile east of Flint Road, then finishing at the Adams Barn Road intersection. New steel replacement poles are 80-feet tall and require oversized equipment to install. Lake Mattie Road traffic will be detoured along County Road 559 or Adams Barn Road to Bolander Road to bypass work zones.
Motorists are advised to drive carefully, be alert to crews and equipment, and follow detour signs or directions by flagmen. Moderate travel delays are likely, especially during peak-hour traffic. Commuters should add extra drive time to trips through this area. For more information, call Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2200.