US-17 TO US-27 540A ROAD WIDENING UPDATE The Lake Ashton Community Action Committee (LACAC) met with Jay Jarvis, Director of Polk County Roads & Drainage in January. Below are highlights regarding the road project from US-17 to US-27 and the widening of Thompson Nursery Road. There are five segments to the project. Segment 2, 4 & 5 will likely be completed concurrently along with the US-27 Intersection changes, so these segment updates are grouped together below: Segment 1: US-17 (at A&E Auto) to Rifle Range Road is 100% planned. They are finalizing right-of-way and then sending out for bid. Construction will begin in late 2024 to 2025. It will take about 2 years to complete (by early 2027) Segment 3: CSX Railroad Flyover to Eloise Loop Road is under construction by the builder (VillaMar) up to where the CSX Railroad Flyover bridge will be built by the county during Segment 2 construction. A date of completion was not provided. Segment 2: Rifle Range Road to the CSX Railroad Flyover Segment 4: Eloise Loop Road Segment 3 to W Lake Ruby Drive Segment 5: W Lake Ruby Drive to US-27 For these three segments, alignment is continuing to be discussed. All options and the recommended location for the roadway for Segment 2 path will be presented at a Public Meeting to be held in May 2024. Segments 4 and 5 will roughly follow the current road path along sections of Eloise Loop Road and Thompson Nursery Road. The Design phase will take approximately 2 years plus another year for gaining the right-of-way property. Construction will likely begin in 2028 and the road should be fully completed in 2030 or 2031. Currently, traffic signals are planned at US 17, Rifle Range and Snively, Eloise Loop and Rifle Range, possibly at Eloise Loop and the VillaMar entry/exit, West Lake Ruby, possibly Traditions, Lake Ashton, The LW Corporation development east of Lake Ashton and of course, US-27. The Lake Ashton temporary traffic signal should be installed no later than the end of 2025. More information will be coming soon regarding the Public Comment Meeting to be held in May. The exact date and location has yet to be determined, but will be held in our vicinity. At that meeting, the final routing for segments 2, 4 & 5 will be presented. Anyone can attend this presentation. Full design graphics will be displayed and public questions and comments may be presented. After the meeting, between May and July possible changes will be considered and implemented if deemed possible. After that time, no additional comments will be taken, as by that point the design will begin, and the project will move forward. If you have any questions regarding this road project, email LACAC at lakeashtoncommunityaction@gmail.com. 9
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