City of Winter Haven, FL:
Road Closure & Traffic Pattern Alert: Lake Elbert Drive NE
Construction continues on the Lake Elbert Trail Project, bringing new water, sewer, and stormwater utilities, road improvements, and a lakeside trail to the community. To keep everyone safe through this phase of construction, a new traffic pattern is in place:
One-way westbound traffic on Lake Elbert Drive NE from Drexel Ave NE around the north side of Lake Elbert to Tenth St NE. This pattern will stay until early summer 2025.
Lake Elbert Dr NE from Ave G NE to Ave A NE remains closed for construction, including the intersection at Ave G NE.
Please follow all detour signs and plan your route accordingly.
Lake Elbert Trail Project Background:
A trail around Lake Elbert has been a vision within the Winter Haven Community for many years. A complete loop trail is approximatley 2.4 miles in distance. As part of the State Road 542/Dundee Road Improvements, 0.6 miles of this trail is already in place along the Lake’s southern shore. The remaining 1.8 miles along the eastern, northern, and western portions of Lake Elbert Drive is being constructed by the City.
The City started a property acquisition phase in early 2021. Throughout 2021 and into early 2022, the City worked with residents and completed all necessary acquisitions on a voluntary basis for a complete loop trail around the Lake. In early 2022, the City started final design of the project.
Design Elements:
The design includes a number of elements which will provide upgrades to the entire corridor. The Trail is generally six feet wide on the east side of the Lake and eight feet wide on the north and west sides. Additional upgrades within the corridor as part of the project will include:
• Storm water quality and quantity upgrades including:
o Upgraded storm inlets and pipes
o Shallow swale between roadway and trail (majority of corridor) to catch rain prior to reaching Lake Elbert
o Rain gardens at Polk State College and along Trail at Trailhead Area
• Upgraded water and sewer lines and connections
• Safety & traffic calming within the corridor will include:
o Three speed tables/raised pedestrian crosswalks
o All way modified stop at 11th Street NE and Lake Elbert Drive
o Roadway width narrowed from 24 ft to 22 ft (11 ft travel lanes)
o Addition of bike sharrows
o Pedestrian connection to Rotary Park along Avenue B NE
• Trailhead at Boat Ramp Area to include:
o On street parking
o Enhanced shoreline
o Single picnic tables
o Water fountain and other amenities
o Existing boat ramp will remain
o Landscaping
• Repaving of the entire corridor
During Construction:
Construction of the project was awarded to Cathcart Construction in August 2023. A Notice to Proceed to start procuring materials for the project was issued on October 1. Based on lead times on materials, Cathcart Construction anticipates starting the project by early – middle January 2024. The construction project will bring disruption to the corridor from time to time. The City’s goal is to minimize these impacts. The contractor will be required to ensure that all residents have access to their driveways and lakefronts. The contractor will provide and maintain proper maintenance of traffic throughout the corridor during construction. This will include detours and “local traffic only” scenerios.
Trash, recycling and yard debris will operate as normal, but may take special coordination between the City and residents from time to time. If you have a special solid waste pickup or have questions, residents are encouraged to contact Solid Waste directly at 863-291-5756 and let the operator know you live on Lake Elbert. Water and sewer service will be maintained throughout the project with the exception of occasional short outages to transfer services and hookup. Outages and access changes during the project will be coordinated with residents in advance.
Corridor residents and the public are invited to attend a construction coordination open house on January 4 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm at the Winter Haven Public Library. Represenatives from the contractor, engineer and City will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the project and construction process.
After Construction:
The City will maintain all new improvements within the corridor including regular landscape maintenance and trash removal. Repairs to the new trail, roadway, utilities, storm water infrastructure, landscaping and other improvements will also be the responsibility of the City.
Residents who live on Lake Elbert will be able to access their lakefront as they currently do whether for pleasure or maintenance, however parking will not be permitted on the trail or within the trail corridor. The Trailhead north of the existing boat ramp will provide some limited parking for access as well as passive park amenities such as a water fountain, picnic table and improved lakeshore.
